Failure, just like success, is the essential part of life. Expressions such as “They could not do it” or “ They failed” are often missing the mark in describing the positions people got in. However, the English language’s vocabulary provides many idioms that capture the essence of failure and mistakes. These idioms provide the experience of failure in a more natural and impactful way. Today, let’s explore these idioms in English that make the experience of failure effective and depict it not only as a result but also in the progress that carries out the meanings.
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20 English Idioms About Mistakes
These English idioms frame failure not simply as a result, but as a complex process involving false starts, blockages, sudden collapses, and losses. Let’s learn common English idioms related to failure and mistakes.
Fall at the First Hurdle
Meaning: To fail or encounter a problem at the start of a task.
Example: I studied so hard, but I fell at the first hurdle by forgetting the first question on the exam.
Striking Out
Meaning: To fail or make no progress.
Example: She applied for several jobs, but she kept striking out.
Close, but No Cigar
Meaning: Making an effort to do something in a good way, but not enough to succeed.
Example: Even though his performance impressed everyone, it was close, but no cigar.
Hitting a Brick Wall
Meaning: Encountering a huge obstacle that stops progress.
Example: She hit a brick wall while trying to fix her relationship.
Dead in the Water
Meaning: Completely helpless, fail.
Example: All my plans for school are dead in the water.
A Dead Loss
Meaning: Someone or something completely failed and is useless.
Example: Trying to convince him was a dead loss.
Lead to a Dead End
Meaning: A plan or attempt that comes to its end.
Example: Her attempts to escape all led to a dead end.
Fight a Losing Battle
Meaning: Struggling with something that has already reached a dead end.
Example: He knew he was fighting a losing battle, yet he refused to let her go.
The Dice Are Loaded Against You
Meaning: Everything works to the position’s or someone’s disadvantage and fails.
Example: I had to win that case, but all the dice were loaded against me.
Going Off the Rails
Meaning: Losing control, out of control.
Example: Although her life went off the rails, she still found a way to have fun.
Make a Pig’s Ear of Something
Meaning: Doing a task or chore very poorly and making a mess of it.
Example: They tried to fix the bride’s hair, but they made a pig’s ear of it.
The Wheels Fall Off
Meaning: Something that has been working suddenly stops or loses its control.
Example: I started the new year strong, but the wheels fell off already.
Falling Flat
Meaning: Failing or being a disappointment.
Example: Your joke fell flat, and no one even smiled; they just stared at you.
Crashing and Burning
Meaning: Experiencing complete collapse.
Example: After the accusation, his career crashed and burned.
Go Down in Flames
Meaning: Something being destroyed or failing fast.
Example: The campaigns went down in flames.
Go Up in Smoke
Meaning: To disappear or fail suddenly.
Example: My years of hard work went up in smoke.
Wipe Out
Meaning: Destroying something completely.
Example: After she spoke to the manager, all of her hopes were wiped out.
Bite The Dust
Meaning: Someone or something comes to the end, is failing or unsuccessful.
Example: Many countries bit the dust during the Great Depression.
Go Belly Up
Meaning: A company, organization, or plan experiences a complete failure.
Example: Our European travel plan went belly up after the economic crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Idioms Related to Mistakes
Now that we learned about the idioms, let’s look at some questions about them.
Why does English use idioms to describe failure?
Idioms deepen the idea of failure, add humor or emotion, and make communication sound more natural and expressive.
Are these idioms formal or informal?
Most idioms about failure are informal and are mainly used in spoken English or casual writing.
What does ‘’Close, but No Cigar’’ mean?
This idiom means making an effort to do something in a good way, but not enough to succeed.
Are idioms about failure usually negative?
Not particularly, these idioms mainly focus on learning, growth, or trying again rather than blame or defeat.
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