failed spectacularly

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "failed spectacularly" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, this phrase is used when referring to something that has had a complete and total failure. For instance, you could say "The project failed spectacularly, leaving the investors feeling foolish and out of pocket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bet failed spectacularly.

The New Yorker

The effort failed spectacularly.

The New York Times

That protection scheme failed spectacularly.

The New York Times

The plan failed spectacularly.

The Guardian - Arts

It failed spectacularly.

The Guardian

Last month they failed spectacularly.

The Guardian

Against Colombia, this failed spectacularly.

The Guardian - Sport

In this they have failed spectacularly.

The Guardian

Barclays succeeded and HBOS failed spectacularly.

The Guardian - Business

My electric motor failed spectacularly to work.

The Guardian

It was a project that failed spectacularly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and audience when using "failed spectacularly". While widely accepted, it can sound harsh, so ensure it aligns with the intended message and recipient.

Common error

While acceptable, "failed spectacularly" can sometimes be too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "proved unsuccessful" or "did not achieve the desired outcome" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed spectacularly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to emphasize the degree and manner of failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed spectacularly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the magnitude and visibility of a failure. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its register is mostly neutral, consider its informality in highly formal or academic settings. Alternatives such as "failed miserably" or "proved disastrous" may be more appropriate in such cases. Remember to use it when you want to stress the dramatic and noticeable nature of a failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed miserably

This alternative emphasizes the pathetic or unfortunate nature of the failure.

collapsed spectacularly

This alternative emphasizes the sudden and dramatic nature of the failure.

failed abysmally

This alternative highlights the profound depth or extent of the failure.

flopped dramatically

This alternative is slightly more informal and emphasizes the obviousness of the failure.

bombed completely

This alternative is very informal and suggests a sudden and total failure.

proved disastrous

This alternative emphasizes the negative consequences of the failure.

went down in flames

This alternative is idiomatic and suggests a catastrophic and public failure.

crashed and burned

Similar to "went down in flames", this alternative is an idiom emphasizing a destructive failure.

backfired spectacularly

This alternative suggests that the failure was a result of an action intended to produce the opposite outcome.

fell flat

This alternative is more understated and suggests a lack of impact or success.

FAQs

What does "failed spectacularly" mean?

The phrase "failed spectacularly" describes a situation where something has completely and noticeably failed. It implies a high degree of failure that is often visible or public.

What can I say instead of "failed spectacularly"?

You can use alternatives like "failed miserably", "collapsed spectacularly", or "proved disastrous" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "failed spectacularly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct and widely used, consider your audience and the specific context. In some formal or academic settings, more neutral alternatives may be preferable.

How does "failed spectacularly" differ from "failed"?

The addition of "spectacularly" emphasizes the magnitude and visibility of the failure. "Failed" simply indicates a lack of success, while "failed spectacularly" suggests a dramatic and noticeable lack of success.