failed to detonate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to detonate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to explosives, devices, or situations where something was expected to activate or explode but did not. Example: "The bomb was supposed to go off at noon, but it failed to detonate, leaving the area safe for evacuation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bomb failed to detonate.

The New York Times

(Rishawi's suicide belt failed to detonate).

The New Yorker

The explosives failed to detonate.

The Guardian

But the copycats' explosives failed to detonate.

The New York Times

All four bombs failed to detonate.

The New York Times

The attacker's explosives-laden vest failed to detonate.

The Washington Post

Between 10% and 30% of it failed to detonate.

The Guardian

That time, the explosive failed to detonate, this time they got it right.

The New York Times

On March 27, gunmen planted explosives at the terminal, but they failed to detonate.

The New York Times

No one was hurt when the explosives failed to detonate completely.

The New York Times

Maduro said "terrorists" had lobbed two grenades that failed to detonate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to detonate" when you want to specifically emphasize that an explosive device did not explode as intended. This phrase is particularly useful in technical or formal contexts where precision is important.

Common error

While "failed to detonate" is technically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler phrases like "didn't explode" or "didn't go off" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to detonate" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the unsuccessful action of an explosive device. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is used to describe instances where an explosion did not occur as intended.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

17%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to detonate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, predominantly in news and formal contexts, to describe the unsuccessful explosion of a device. Ludwig confirms that it's commonly used and understood. While technically correct, in more casual settings, alternatives such as "didn't explode" may be more suitable. Remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required when choosing between "failed to detonate" and its simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to explode

Simple substitution of 'detonate' with 'explode'.

did not explode

Replaces "detonate" with a more common synonym, making it slightly less formal.

remained unexploded

Describes the state of the explosive after the failed attempt.

did not go off

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate the explosives did not activate.

failed to activate

Indicates a general failure of the device to start functioning.

did not trigger

Suggests the initiation mechanism was unsuccessful.

did not ignite

Focuses on the failure of the initial combustion or lighting of the explosive.

was a dud

Employs a term specifically for explosives that do not function as intended.

did not function

A broader term indicating the explosive device did not work.

proved inoperative

A more formal way of saying the device did not work, suitable for technical contexts.

FAQs

What does "failed to detonate" mean?

The phrase "failed to detonate" means that an explosive device did not explode or go off as it was intended to.

What are some alternatives to saying "failed to detonate"?

You can use alternatives like "did not explode", "did not go off", or "failed to explode" depending on the context.

Is "failed to detonate" formal or informal?

"Failed to detonate" is considered a relatively formal way to describe an explosive device not exploding. In more casual contexts, simpler phrases like "didn't explode" might be more appropriate.

How to use "failed to detonate" in a sentence?

You can use "failed to detonate" in sentences such as "The bomb "failed to detonate", preventing any casualties" or "The explosive device "failed to detonate" due to a faulty trigger mechanism".