meet with failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"meet with failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that whatever the subject of the sentence was attempting to do ultimately failed. For example, "The project team worked hard but eventually met with failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Most alliances formed chiefly to build the skills of a weaker partner meet with failure or mixed results.

Harvard Business Review

Indeed, I have returned to the experience often over the years, hoping to put it to use in a novel, only to meet with failure at every attempt.

The Guardian - Books

When it was suggested to him that his own quest is equally implausible and likely to meet with failure, he concedes the possibility but goes on to argue that regardless of the outcome, he has already achieved a broader objective.

The New York Times

In 1990, a fatwa from Afghan leaders in Peshawar decreed that women should not attend schools or become educated, and that if they did, the Islamic movement would meet with failure.

The New York Times

If Republicans don't learn this quickly, all their proposals will meet with failure.

Forbes

But I will say this: any government effort to make illegal the free passage of publicly available information will meet with failure.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

They met with failure, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Those who did, like Richard M. Nixon, often met with failure.

The New York Times

Attempts to use the last solution in limiting New Jersey's deer herd met with failure.

The New York Times

Attempts to decrease the number of government workers in the early 1990s met with failure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His recent attempt at creating a domestic feeder airline, Little Red, met with failure and will be closed next year.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meet with failure", ensure the subject clearly indicates the attempt or effort that did not succeed. For example, "Their attempt to climb the mountain met with failure" is more precise than "They met with failure".

Common error

Avoid using "meet with failure" when referring to a lack of trying altogether. The phrase implies an active attempt that yielded negative results, not a passive lack of effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meet with failure" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the outcome of an action or attempt. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It describes the experience of not succeeding, often despite effort.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "meet with failure" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an unsuccessful outcome following an attempt or endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media, Wiki, and encyclopedic contexts. Related phrases include "prove unsuccessful" and "end in disappointment". When using "meet with failure", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly indicates the attempt that did not succeed. Avoid using it to describe situations where no attempt was made. It's important to differentiate it from its past tense form, "met with failure", when describing past events. This makes "meet with failure" a versatile tool for precisely describing setbacks in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not succeed

A more direct and simple way of expressing failure.

fail to achieve

Highlights the inability to reach a specific goal.

prove unsuccessful

Emphasizes the lack of success of a particular endeavor.

suffer defeat

Focuses on the experience of being defeated.

end in disappointment

Focuses on the emotional result of the failure.

be in vain

Focuses on the wasted effort put into something.

come to naught

Highlights the futility and lack of tangible results.

be defeated

Emphasizes being overcome by challenges or opposition.

fall flat

Suggests a lack of impact or resonance.

come a cropper

An informal way of saying something has failed.

FAQs

How can I use "meet with failure" in a sentence?

You can use "meet with failure" to describe a situation where an attempt or endeavor does not succeed. For example, "The company's efforts to expand into the new market "met with failure" due to unforeseen economic conditions."

What's a more formal alternative to "meet with failure"?

A more formal alternative could be "prove unsuccessful" or "fail to achieve". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is "meet with failure" the same as "met with failure"?

"Meet with failure" is the infinitive form, while "met with failure" is the past tense. Use "met with failure" when describing a past event. For example, "Their initial plans "met with failure", but they later succeeded".

What can I say instead of "meet with failure" to emphasize disappointment?

If you want to emphasize the disappointment, you could use phrases like "end in disappointment" or "come to naught". These options highlight the emotional impact of the failed attempt.