met with failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"met with failure" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something succeeding in achieving a goal. Example: Despite putting in their best efforts, the team ultimately met with failure in the championship match.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

They met with failure, too.

The New York Times - Sports

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

But the humiliation peaked over Memorial Day weekend, when the procedure called the top kill also met with failure.

The New York Times

Repeated attempts to draft international conventions in the field of general average, however, have met with failure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

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

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

TechCrunch

However, attempting success, yet meeting with failure, that's where learning truly happens.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "proved fruitless" or "resulted in defeat" to add variety to your writing and to fit a specific tone or register.

Common error

While "met with failure" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in very casual conversations. Opt for more colloquial expressions like "didn't work out" or "flopped" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "met with failure" functions as a predicate, indicating that a subject experienced an unsuccessful outcome. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. Examples include: "Attempts to decrease the number of government workers... met with failure" and "His recent attempt... met with failure."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "met with failure" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to describe unsuccessful outcomes across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It functions as a predicate, indicating that a subject's efforts did not yield the desired results. While versatile, it maintains a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into news reports, encyclopedia articles, and scientific publications. Common alternatives include "did not succeed" and "proved fruitless". However, it's advisable to avoid overuse in very casual settings where more informal terms might be more appropriate. The phrase is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias", and "Science" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not succeed

A straightforward way of expressing a lack of success.

ended unsuccessfully

Focuses on the outcome of an event or attempt, highlighting its lack of success.

resulted in defeat

Emphasizes the loss or overcoming by an opposing force or challenge.

came to naught

A more archaic and literary way of saying something was for nothing or had no result.

proved fruitless

Highlights the lack of positive results or benefits from an effort.

was unavailing

Suggests that efforts were ineffective, especially in achieving a desired outcome.

fell flat

Indicates a lack of impact or success, often used for performances or ideas.

failed to deliver

Emphasizes a failure to meet expectations or produce the anticipated result.

bombed

An informal way of saying that a performance or event was a complete failure.

bit the dust

Informal way to describe failure or defeat, and often refers to equipment breaking down.

FAQs

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

You can use "met with failure" to describe any attempt or endeavor that did not succeed. For example: "Despite their meticulous planning, the project "met with failure" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "met with failure"?

Alternatives include "did not succeed", "proved fruitless", or "resulted in defeat". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "meet with failure" or "met with failure"?

"Meet with failure" is the infinitive form, used to describe a potential future outcome. "Met with failure" is the past tense, used to describe something that has already happened.

What is the difference between "met with failure" and "resulted in failure"?

"Met with failure" focuses on the process and the experience of not succeeding. "Resulted in failure" emphasizes the outcome of the situation. The two phrases are semantically similar, and often, interchangeable.