fail miserably

USAGE SUMMARY

"fail miserably" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize how badly something has gone wrong. For example, "My attempts to fix the plumbing failed miserably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most protests fail miserably, at least in the short run.

Huffington Post

I fail miserably.

The Guardian

Most entrepreneurs fail miserably.

Harvard Business Review

Fingers crossed they fail miserably.

The Guardian

But most adults fail miserably.

The New York Times

I'm sure I'll fail miserably".

The Guardian - Film

I fail miserably by comparison".

The New York Times

Then, thankfully, I managed to fail miserably.

The Economist

I don't know, maybe I'd fail miserably.

The New York Times

I know I fail miserably in that".

The New York Times

Sad! Two Hollywood liberal élites fail miserably.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail miserably" to add emphasis when you want to highlight the magnitude or completeness of a failure. For less dramatic situations, consider softer alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "fail miserably" in contexts where the failure is minor or inconsequential. Overusing such emphatic language can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail miserably" functions as a verbal phrase used to express the act of failing to a significant degree. It emphasizes the magnitude and completeness of the failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly grammatical and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

20%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail miserably" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys a significant and emphatic failure. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts. While its register is generally neutral, it is advisable to consider more precise language for highly formal or scientific writing. Remember to use "fail miserably" when you want to highlight the magnitude of a failure, but avoid overusing it to prevent diluting its impact. Consider alternative phrases like "fall flat on your face" or "flop spectacularly" for nuanced expression. The phrase is well-supported by examples from authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing significant lack of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meet with abject failure

This phrase provides a more formal and intense way of expressing complete failure.

end in utter failure

This phrase emphasizes the complete and total nature of the failure.

be a complete disaster

This alternative highlights the chaotic and negative outcome of the failure.

flop spectacularly

This option focuses on the visible and dramatic nature of the failure.

prove to be a fiasco

This choice implies a humiliating and embarrassing failure.

fall flat on your face

This alternative uses a more idiomatic and visual expression to describe a significant failure.

crash and burn

This option uses a more intense and violent metaphor to represent the failure.

go down in flames

This idiom suggests a dramatic and destructive failure.

totally bomb

This alternative is a more informal and emphatic way to say "fail miserably".

not even come close

This option focuses on the large gap between the attempted goal and the actual result.

FAQs

How to use "fail miserably" in a sentence?

You can use "fail miserably" to emphasize a significant lack of success. For example, "Despite their best efforts, the project "failed miserably"."

What can I say instead of "fail miserably"?

You can use alternatives like "fall flat on your face", "flop spectacularly", or "be a complete disaster" depending on the context.

Is "fail miserably" redundant?

While "miserably" intensifies the verb "fail", it's not strictly redundant. It adds emphasis to the degree and nature of the failure, making it more expressive than just saying "fail".

What's the difference between "fail miserably" and "succeed greatly"?

"Fail miserably" emphasizes the negative outcome and the significant degree of failure, while "succeed greatly" highlights a positive outcome and a high degree of success. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of a spectrum of achievement.