make up for the failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up for the failure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing compensating for a mistake or shortcoming in a situation. Example: "To make up for the failure of the project, the team worked overtime to ensure the next one was a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It won't make up for the failure of one calamity to prevent a similar one four months later.

The New York Times

"And it will not make up for the failure to level with the American people about the costs of the services that they value".

The New York Times

The judges may want to recognise the Olympics in some way, and make up for the failure last year to award the prize to the much-admired Velodrome.

The Guardian - Arts

Dr. Okarma is driven to have Geron succeed for another reason, as well -- to make up for the failure of his former company, Applied Immune Sciences.

The New York Times

That does not make its use unlawful or inappropriate; it simply means that this factor cannot make up for the failure of other factors, such as ‘reprehensibility,’ to constrain significantly an award that purports to punish a defendant’s conduct”).

Cornell University

Chelsea and Manchester City are hardly in the same category but even winning the FA Cup would barely make up for the failure to defend their respective titles in the Champions League and Premier League.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

While most of these investments fail, the returns for the ones that win are so great they make up for the failures.

University of California, Berkeley

The Secretary of State has long been the most engaged American politician on the issue of climate and environment and his attendance at these UN negotiations is being seen as further evidence that the US is determined to make up for the failures of Copenhagen in 2009 and deliver a strong agreement in Paris next year.

BBC

I know that media can do better, to make up for the failures that led us here.

Vice

To complement my "wellness" routine, I make an Instagram-ready yogurt cup for breakfast the next morning, hoping it will make up for the failures of last night.

Vice

He made up for the failure soon enough.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make up for the failure", clearly state what specific actions are being taken to compensate for the mistake or shortcoming.

Common error

Avoid using "make up for the failure" without specifying how the compensation will occur. For example, instead of saying "We will make up for the failure", state "We will make up for the failure by offering a full refund and a discount on their next purchase".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up for the failure" functions as a verb phrase expressing the act of compensating or rectifying a specific mistake or shortcoming. As supported by Ludwig, it is often used to describe actions taken to mitigate negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make up for the failure" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood way to describe the act of compensating for a mistake or shortcoming. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Academia contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to clearly articulate the specific actions being taken to rectify the error. While alternatives like "compensate for the failure" or "atone for the mistake" exist, "make up for the failure" is a suitable choice for most situations requiring a neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compensate for the deficiency

Replaces "failure" with "deficiency", emphasizing a lack or inadequacy.

atone for the mistake

Substitutes "make up" with "atone", suggesting regret and seeking forgiveness for an error.

rectify the error

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct and formal term for correcting something wrong.

remedy the situation

Focuses on improving or correcting a negative circumstance resulting from the failure.

make amends for the lapse

Uses "make amends" instead of "make up", implying a more formal attempt to repair a wrong.

offset the shortcoming

Suggests counteracting the negative effects of the failure.

negate the fault

Emphasizes the cancellation or nullification of the failure's impact.

correct the problem

A more general phrase focusing on fixing the issue at hand.

fix the issue

An even more informal way of saying to correct the problem

repair the damage

Highlights the act of fixing the harm caused by the failure.

FAQs

How can I use "make up for the failure" in a sentence?

You can use "make up for the failure" to express the act of compensating for a past mistake or shortcoming. For instance, "The company offered a discount to "make up for" the failure in delivering the product on time".

What are some alternatives to "make up for the failure"?

Alternatives include "compensate for the failure", "atone for the mistake", or "rectify the error". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "make up for the failure" or "compensate for the failure"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Compensate for the failure" is slightly more formal, while "make up for the failure" is more common in everyday language. The choice depends on the tone you want to achieve.

What's the difference between "make up for the failure" and "make up for lost time"?

"Make up for the failure" refers to compensating for a specific error or shortcoming. "Make up for lost time" refers to trying to accomplish something more quickly because you started late or were delayed. They have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.