vivid failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vivid failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a failure that is strikingly clear or intense, often emphasizing the dramatic nature of the failure. Example: "The project was a vivid failure, showcasing all the pitfalls of poor planning and execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the bizarre blockade around the rural home of the blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng has become a distracting embarrassment, China's most vivid failure of rule of law.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

What I liked about him then, as now, was his pugnacious humility, his very vivid memories of failure and poverty, his uniquely American optimism, and his unashamed commitment to global social justice.

TechCrunch

With no consensus about how to pursue health reform, and vivid memories of the failure of 1993-1994, Democratic politicians avoided the subject, treating universal care as a vague dream for the distant future.

The New York Times

The Affairs of the Falcóns shows Ana navigating an obstacle course for survival, facing family pressures, marital strife, sexual harassment, loan sharks and the fear of failure, making vivid the kinds of experiences that are often treated as abstractions in our political discourse.

Huffington Post

The fact that children have been forced to take up arms, becoming at once victims and a part of the problem, is a "vivid illustration of the failure of the international community," notes the UNICEF spokesperson.

Unicef

While many of the rating agencies' failures have been documented, the Senate investigation provides perhaps the most thorough and vivid accounting of the failures to date.

The New York Times

Bush the younger is plainly annoyed by the commission's forceful, vivid account of his failures in Iraq.

The New Yorker

Fresh from this experience, the President told the crowd outside the City Hall: "While the wall is the most obvious and vivid evidence of the failures of the Communist system... we take no satisfaction in it.

The New York Times

In particular, he does justice to central and eastern Europe in communist times, helped by vivid examples of planning failures and partial reforms for example, a quarter of all shoes sold in Hungary in 1951 were officially classed as substandard.

The Economist

The Red Road flats, seen by many as a vivid symbol of the failures of post-war urban planning and which featured in a thriller of the same name by Andrea Arnold in 2006, were condemned in 2008 and have been slowly emptied.

The Guardian - Sport

The most vivid example of the Devils' failure came in the first period when Alexander Mogilny and Randy McKay broke in on Mike Vernon, but the goaltender denied Mogilny's shot from the left side.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vivid failure" to emphasize the clarity and impact of a failure, especially when it serves as a significant example or lesson.

Common error

Avoid using "vivid failure" when a simpler term like "failure" or "setback" is sufficient. The term is best reserved for situations where the failure is particularly striking or memorable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vivid failure" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "vivid" modifies the noun "failure". It describes a failure that is strikingly clear, intense, or memorable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples where the phrase highlights significant shortcomings or collapses.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vivid failure" is a phrase used to describe a failure that is strikingly clear and memorable. It is grammatically correct and finds its usage across news media, business, and science, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not as frequent as a simple "failure", it is a powerful term to emphasize the impact and lessons learned from a significant shortcoming. The phrase can be used in formal writing, but should be reserved for instances where the failure is particularly striking. Alternatives like "striking setback" or "dramatic collapse" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances. When using the term, ensure that the context justifies the intensity it implies, thus avoiding overuse in situations where a simpler term is sufficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious failing

Highlights the clear and apparent nature of the failure.

striking setback

Replaces "failure" with "setback" and "vivid" with "striking", suggesting a noticeable obstacle.

dramatic collapse

Focuses on the sudden and impactful nature of the failure, using "collapse" instead of "failure".

glaring deficiency

Emphasizes a noticeable lack or shortcoming, using different terminology.

clear disaster

Emphasizes the catastrophic nature of the event.

conspicuous blunder

Highlights the visibility and mistake aspect of the failure.

pronounced shortcoming

Uses "shortcoming" instead of "failure", with similar implications of a deficiency.

remarkable flop

Focuses on the unsuccessful and prominent nature of the failure.

noticeable defeat

Highlights the evident loss or failure.

evident breakdown

Focuses on the collapse or deterioration aspect of the failure.

FAQs

How can I use "vivid failure" in a sentence?

You can use "vivid failure" to describe a situation where the failure is strikingly clear and memorable. For example, "The project was a "vivid failure", showcasing all the pitfalls of poor planning."

What are some alternatives to "vivid failure"?

Alternatives include "striking setback", "dramatic collapse", or "obvious failing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a failure "vivid"?

A "vivid" failure is one that is easily remembered and has a strong impact due to its clarity, intensity, or the lessons it teaches.

Is it appropriate to use "vivid failure" in formal writing?

Yes, "vivid failure" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when analyzing causes and effects or drawing lessons from past events. Ensure the context warrants the intensity the term implies.