fail in duty

USAGE SUMMARY

"fail in duty" is an appropriate phrase to use in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone not fulfilling an obligation or task that is expected of them. For example: "The soldier failed in his duty when he didn't complete the mission on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That phrase, used in a 1936 Times subheadline about a call by the former governor Al Smith ("He Says New York Is Too Big to Fail in Duty of Giving to Private Welfare Agencies") surfaced again in a 1975 Business Week headline about a government loan guarantee to protect Lockheed Aircraft: "When Companies Get Too Big to Fail".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Moreover, even if directors fail in their duties, they are unlikely to suffer liability.

Columbia University

These four police officers failed in their duties to protect people, using their power and influence to terrorize Latinos instead.

Huffington Post

"When we fail in that duty and responsibility, we are a lesser society or human family," said Mr. Seymour.

Unicef

"Our first duty is the protection of national security, and we fail in our duty if we don't take preventative measures," he said.

The New York Times

Still, if thou avenge not thy father, thou wilt fail in thy duty.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If we lose sight of that, we fail in our duty to learn the right lessons".

Independent

Those owners who fail in this duty should face tougher prosecution.

Independent

Moses views himself as one with his people even when they fail in their duty: "Pardon your people," he prays, "or remove me from the Book of Life".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Third (really a subcategory of the second), did Pope Pius XII fail in his duty by choosing diplomacy over confrontation in opposing the Nazi extermination campaign?

The New York Times

"Unlike the Tories, we will not fail in our duty to help our people during difficult times".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail in duty", clearly specify the duty that was not fulfilled to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "The board of directors failed in their duty to oversee financial reporting."

Common error

Avoid using "fail in duty" without specifying the particular obligation or responsibility that was neglected. Vague statements can weaken your argument. Instead of saying "The government failed in its duty", specify which duty was not met such as "The government failed in its duty to protect its citizens from cyberattacks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail in duty" functions as a verb phrase expressing a failure to meet an obligation or responsibility. As Ludwig AI explains, it's appropriate for describing the non-fulfillment of an expected task. The examples illustrate various contexts where individuals or entities do not meet their expected responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail in duty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the act of not fulfilling a responsibility or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. As evidenced by the various examples and authoritative sources, including The Guardian and The New York Times, this phrase is commonly used in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When using "fail in duty", ensure you clearly specify the unfulfilled duty to provide adequate context. Alternatives include "neglect one's duty" and "breach one's duty", though their connotations may vary slightly. Remember to avoid overgeneralization by clearly stating which duty was not fulfilled to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglect one's duty

Focuses on the act of neglecting a responsibility, implying a lack of attention or care.

breach one's duty

Highlights a violation or break in fulfilling a responsibility, often in a legal or ethical context.

derelict in one's duty

Emphasizes a serious failure to perform one's duty, suggesting negligence or abandonment of responsibility.

fall short of one's obligations

Indicates a failure to meet the required standards or expectations of a responsibility.

shirk one's responsibilities

Implies an active avoidance of duties, often to evade work or effort.

be remiss in one's obligations

Suggests a careless or negligent failure to fulfill duties.

default on one's duty

Indicates a failure to meet a legal or contractual obligation.

lapse in one's duty

Focuses on a temporary failure or oversight in performing one's duty.

violate one's duty

Highlights a direct contravention of what is expected or required.

abandon one's duty

Emphasizes a complete relinquishment or desertion of responsibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "fail in duty" in a sentence?

You can use "fail in duty" to describe someone's inability to fulfill a responsibility or obligation. For instance, "The police officers "failed in their duties" to protect the community."

What are some alternatives to "fail in duty"?

Some alternatives to "fail in duty" include phrases like "neglect one's duty", "breach one's duty", or "be remiss in one's obligations", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "fail in duty" or "neglect duty"?

Both "fail in duty" and "neglect duty" are valid, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Fail in duty" implies a broader failure to meet obligations, while "neglect duty" suggests a lack of attention or care in performing a specific task.

What's the difference between "fail in duty" and "breach of duty"?

"Fail in duty" generally refers to the act of not fulfilling a responsibility, whereas "breach of duty" often implies a violation of a legal or ethical obligation. A "breach of duty" can have legal consequences.