failing
noun
[ ˈfeɪlɪŋ ]
• a weakness, especially in a person's character; a shortcoming.
• "pride is a terrible failing"
Similar:
fault,
shortcoming,
weakness,
weak point,
weak spot,
imperfection,
defect,
flaw,
blemish,
frailty,
infirmity,
foible,
quirk,
idiosyncrasy,
vice,
deficiency,
inadequacy,
limitation,
failing
preposition
• in the absence of; if not.
• "she longed to be with him and, failing that, to be alone"
fail
verb
• be unsuccessful in achieving one's goal.
• "he failed in his attempt to secure election"
• neglect to do something.
• "the firm failed to give adequate risk warnings"
• cease to work properly; break down.
• "a lorry whose brakes had failed"
Similar:
break down,
break,
stop working,
cease to function,
cut out,
stop,
stall,
crash,
give out,
malfunction,
act up,
go wrong,
develop a fault,
be faulty,
be defective,
conk out,
go kaput,
go phut,
give up the ghost,
go on the blink,
be on the blink,
pack up,
play up,
Opposite:
work,
be in working order,
Origin:
Middle English: from Old French faillir (verb), faille (noun), based on Latin fallere ‘deceive’.
