failed to launch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to launch" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something did not succeed in starting or initiating, often used in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The new product was highly anticipated, but it ultimately failed to launch due to poor marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They had failed to launch.

The New York Times

Burberry failed to launch, as a collection.

The New York Times

Mr Nkunda has so far failed to launch his widely expected attack on Goma.

The Economist

American troops discovered that several other rockets had failed to launch.

The New York Times

Eli Schwartz has failed to launch, staying home while his classmates move away to college.

The New Yorker

But extremists have failed to launch such an attack in the US.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

But somehow the piece fails to launch.

The Guardian

A NASA satellite fails to launch.

The New Yorker

"Our current forecasts assume Cervarix fails to launch in the US until 2014.

The Guardian - Business

"No room is left for the government to hesitate, postpone or fail to launch a cross-border operation".

The New York Times

I've seen far too many trust fund kids fail to launch in any direction except down".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to launch" when you want to describe the unsuccessful start or initiation of a project, product, or event. It often implies that there were expectations or plans for something to begin but it did not materialize.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to launch" when describing something that started but didn't achieve its goals. This phrase is best suited for situations where the start itself was unsuccessful, not when something faltered after its initial phase. For example, don't say "The product failed to launch, leading to low sales" when you should say "The product launched but sales were disappointing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to launch" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the unsuccessful initiation or commencement of an event, project, or initiative. It's commonly used to describe situations where something was intended to start but did not, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to launch" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the unsuccessful commencement of a plan, project, or initiative. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, and science. While there are several alternative expressions available, like "did not take off" or "was unsuccessful in its initiation", it's important to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended meaning, specifically referring to the lack of a successful start, rather than subsequent failures after a successful initiation. Remember to use the phrase when something didn't even begin as expected, and not when it started but then faltered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not succeed in starting

Focuses on the lack of success in beginning an endeavor.

was unsuccessful in its initiation

Emphasizes the lack of success during the initial phase.

never took off

A common idiom suggesting a lack of popularity or success after starting.

did not get off the ground

A more idiomatic expression suggesting an inability to begin or progress.

fell through

Indicates a plan or project that did not materialize.

did not come to fruition

Suggests that the effort never fully developed or achieved its goal.

proved abortive

Highlights that the attempt was unsuccessful from the beginning.

was stillborn

Emphasizes that the project or initiative was destined to fail from inception.

was a non-starter

Indicates that something was never a viable option.

bombed

An informal way to say that something was a complete failure.

FAQs

How can I use "failed to launch" in a sentence?

You can use "failed to launch" to describe something that didn't successfully start or begin. For example, "The company's new marketing campaign "failed to launch" due to budget constraints" or "The rocket "failed to launch", causing a delay in the mission".

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "did not take off", "did not succeed", "fell through", or "was unsuccessful".

Is it correct to say "the project failed to launch"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "the project "failed to launch"". It means the project did not start or begin successfully.

What's the difference between "failed to launch" and "failed to execute"?

"Failed to launch" means something didn't start. "Failed to execute" means something started but wasn't carried out correctly or completely. The former refers to the beginning, while the latter refers to the implementation phase.