fail of
C1 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words
An old-fashioned way to say 'fail to get or do something.'
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
formal
(Archaic/literary) To be unsuccessful in achieving or obtaining a desired result or outcome.
"The expedition failed of its purpose and the men were forced to turn back."
"He failed of the preferment he sought."
— Representative of 18th-century usage pattern (e.g., Fielding, Smollett era)
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Largely archaic; found mainly in older literature (18th–19th century texts). In modern English, 'fail to' or 'fail in' are the standard alternatives. ESL learners may encounter this in classic literature but should not use it in contemporary writing.
Commonly used with
effect purpose success object expectation
Forms
Base
fail of
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fails of
he/she/it
Past simple
failed of
yesterday
Past participle
failed of
have + pp
-ing form
failing of
continuous
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