refuse to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refuse to fail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express determination and resilience in the face of challenges or obstacles. Example: "Despite the difficulties we faced, we chose to refuse to fail and pushed through to achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I refuse to fail.

The New York Times

"The only people who survive in life are the people who refuse to fail.

The New York Times

Who cannot feel thrilled to watch Andy Pettitte, his face frozen in an intense grimace, refuse to fail?

The New York Times

In short, these are people that simply refuse to fail when difficult times rear their ugly head.

Huffington Post

Far too many children are still being marginalized -- and we stand in awe of those who refuse to fail.

Huffington Post

Some stop coming because they feel discouraged or can't afford it, but most simply refuse to fail.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Yet somehow these heroes screwed their courage to the sticking place and refused to fail.

The Economist

But the truth is that we are doing all off those things by refusing to fail people!

Huffington Post

Although Carter has produced some of the requested documents, he "has failed and refused and continues to fail and refuse to provide a thorough accounting and all of the records demanded".

The New York Times - Sports

When contacted by the research team, 11 participants were ineligible prior to randomization (e.g., pregnant, refuse to participate, failed to contact).

Annals of Behavioral Medicine

The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, passed in 1967 states, "It shall be unlawful for an employer to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment, because of such individual's age".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refuse to fail" to convey a strong sense of determination and resilience, particularly when facing significant challenges or obstacles. For example, "Despite the setbacks, the team chose to "refuse to fail" and continued to innovate."

Common error

While "refuse to fail" is impactful, overuse can diminish its effect. Vary your language with synonyms like "determined to succeed" or "unwilling to give up" to maintain a compelling and nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refuse to fail" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a strong declaration of intent. It's used to highlight a determined mindset focused on preventing failure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refuse to fail" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey strong determination and resilience. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, showing its presence in diverse sources. While not exceedingly common, its usage is clear and its message potent. When using this phrase, consider its emotional impact and whether a more formal alternative might be appropriate, as overusing this expression can also diminish its impact. Remember to use synonyms like "determined to succeed" or "unwilling to give up" for a more nuanced tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to be defeated

Focuses on actively resisting defeat, highlighting resilience and determination to overcome obstacles.

determined to succeed

Emphasizes a firm decision to achieve success, shifting focus from avoiding failure to actively pursuing success.

unwilling to give up

Highlights persistence and a lack of willingness to quit, differing in that it addresses general obstacles.

resolved to win

Focuses on achieving victory, suggesting a competitive context not always present in the original phrase.

not about to lose

Expresses strong opposition to losing, adding an element of defiance absent in "refuse to fail".

bound to triumph

Suggests an inevitable victory, implying a higher degree of certainty than simply refusing to fail.

insistent on success

Highlights the unwavering nature of the pursuit of success, adding emphasis on insistence.

will not be defeated

Directly addresses the possibility of defeat, differing in that it frames it as an external force to be resisted.

committed to excellence

Shifts the focus to achieving high standards rather than avoiding failure, implying a pursuit of quality.

undaunted by setbacks

Emphasizes resilience in the face of challenges, adding that setbacks do not discourage the user.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "refuse to fail" in a sentence?

Use "refuse to fail" to show unwavering determination in the face of adversity. For example, "The entrepreneur decided to "refuse to fail", pushing through countless obstacles to build a successful company."

What are some alternatives to "refuse to fail" that I can use to add variety to my writing?

You can use alternatives like "determined to succeed", "unwilling to give up", or "resolved to win" to convey a similar meaning with different emphasis.

Is "refuse to fail" appropriate for formal writing?

While "refuse to fail" is grammatically correct, it carries a strong emotional tone. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "committed to excellence" or "undaunted by setbacks" for a more measured approach.

What's the difference between "refuse to fail" and "refuse to be defeated"?

"Refuse to fail" focuses on avoiding failure, while "refuse to be defeated" implies actively resisting an external force. The latter suggests a struggle against someone or something trying to cause one's defeat.