failed badly

USAGE SUMMARY

'failed badly' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation that was worse than expected. Example: Although I had studied hard, I failed badly on the final exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It failed badly.

The New York Times

They failed badly.

MIT Technology Review

I failed badly.

The Guardian

The Winter's Tale could have failed, and failed badly.

The Guardian

Ultimately, he has failed in this task, and failed badly.

The Guardian - Opinion

But when she has failed, she has failed badly.

The Guardian

Wales had spirit but failed badly in decision-making and execution.

The New York Times - Sports

The mission failed badly, as two U.S. aircraft collided, killing eight military personnel.

The New York Times

He failed badly against Ken Livingstone and has been something of a lost soul ever since.

The Guardian

They failed badly and humiliatingly in Europe, too, losing home and away to Rangers.

The Guardian - Sport

And the verdict is blunt: this government's economic plan has failed and failed badly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed badly", consider the audience. While generally acceptable, in some formal contexts, a more subdued expression might be preferable, like "proved unsuccessful".

Common error

Avoid using "failed badly" in very formal or academic writing where a more neutral or objective tone is required. Opt for phrases like "did not succeed" or "proved ineffective" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed badly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb to intensify the degree and impact of the failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe situations that were significantly worse than expected. Examples in the provided data demonstrate its application across various contexts, from political campaigns to technological endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed badly" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the severity of a failure. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English, particularly to describe situations far worse than anticipated. While prevalent in news and media sources, it's advisable to use more neutral alternatives in formal or scientific writing. Remember to consider the audience and context when opting for such an emphatic expression. More subdued options like "proved unsuccessful" or "did not succeed" can often be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed miserably

Emphasizes the degree of failure, suggesting a complete and often pathetic lack of success.

was a complete failure

States the failure as a fact, emphasizing its totality.

failed spectacularly

Highlights the dramatic and highly visible nature of the failure.

flopped completely

Uses a more informal term to describe a total failure, often in the context of a performance or project.

went down in flames

Suggests a dramatic and catastrophic failure.

fell flat

Indicates a lack of impact or success, often used for jokes or performances.

bombed

An informal term suggesting complete failure, particularly in entertainment or business ventures.

proved unsuccessful

A more formal way of saying something did not achieve its intended outcome.

did not succeed

A neutral way of indicating failure, without adding emphasis.

went wrong

Indicates a failure that occurred due to problems or mistakes.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something "failed badly"?

To say something "failed badly" means it was not at all successful; the outcome was significantly worse than expected. It emphasizes the magnitude and degree of the failure.

How can I use "failed badly" in a sentence?

You can use "failed badly" to describe a plan, project, or attempt that did not succeed. For example, "The rescue mission "failed badly", resulting in significant losses."

Are there more formal alternatives to "failed badly"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "proved unsuccessful", "did not succeed", or "fell short of expectations". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic writing where a less emphatic tone is preferred.

What's the difference between "failed badly" and "failed completely"?

"Failed badly" emphasizes the severity of the failure, while "failed completely" highlights the totality of the failure. Although similar, "failed badly" focuses on how poorly something went, whereas "failed completely" focuses on the absence of any success.