mission failed

USAGE SUMMARY

"mission failed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a scenario in which someone or a group has tried and failed to achieve a certain goal. For example: After days of searching, the rescue party declared their mission failed and returned to base.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

One message says: "Mission failed," as soon as a mission begins.

BBC

The mission failed.

The New Yorker

In the end, though, his mission failed.

The New York Times

"Mission failed," said the screen.

The New York Times

The mission failed to locate any debris.

The Guardian

The mission failed, however, and served only to infuriate Japan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mission failed, leaving the hostages dead and Nigeria with a growing sense of doom.

The Economist

The mission failed badly, as two U.S. aircraft collided, killing eight military personnel.

The New York Times

His mission failed, and he was replaced in 1836 by Charles (later Sir Charles Elliott.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No one thought about what would happen politically if the mission failed?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

If you forget it, a mission fails.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mission failed" to clearly and concisely communicate the lack of success in achieving a specific goal, particularly in scenarios involving planned operations or assignments.

Common error

Avoid using "mission failed" in casual conversations or situations where a less dramatic expression would be more appropriate. It can sound overly theatrical if the stakes are not genuinely high.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mission failed" primarily functions as a declarative statement. It expresses the outcome of an endeavor, asserting that the intended goal was not achieved. Ludwig AI indicates this is a common expression used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mission failed" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the lack of success in achieving a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse sources. The phrase is versatile, fitting into neutral registers and frequently appearing in news, encyclopedias, and wiki contexts. While it's a direct way to communicate failure, users should be mindful of its potential for sounding overdramatic in very informal situations. Alternative phrases such as "mission unsuccessful" or "unsuccessful attempt" can provide nuanced substitutes depending on the desired level of formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mission unsuccessful

A more formal and direct synonym.

the objective was unmet

A neutral, business-like way of stating the goal was not reached.

unsuccessful attempt

Focuses on the attempt itself being not successful.

failed endeavor

Highlights the effort or undertaking and its lack of success.

abortive mission

Emphasizes that the mission was cut short or didn't reach completion.

efforts were in vain

Emphasizes that despite effort being spent, no positive result was achieved.

exercise in futility

Suggests the mission was pointless from the beginning.

the operation flopped

Emphasizes a complete and often embarrassing failure of a planned operation.

the scheme fell through

Focuses on the planning stage, indicating the mission never materialized as intended.

the plan backfired

Indicates the mission had unintended and negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "mission failed" in a sentence?

You can use "mission failed" to indicate that an attempt to achieve a specific goal was unsuccessful. For example: "Despite their best efforts, the rescue "mission failed" to locate the missing hikers."

What's a more formal alternative to "mission failed"?

For more formal situations, you could use phrases like "mission unsuccessful" or "the objective was not achieved".

Is "mission failed" appropriate for all contexts?

While generally acceptable, "mission failed" might be perceived as overly dramatic in informal contexts. Consider using milder alternatives like "unsuccessful attempt" in casual conversations.

What does it mean when someone says "mission failed"?

It signifies that an attempt to accomplish a specific task or objective was not successful and the desired outcome was not achieved.