Cool MateFails vs Goes to the wall
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fails
Top 2,000 (common)
Goes to the wall
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: FailsMost common: Fails
| Fails | Goes to the wall | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //feɪlz//🇺🇸 //feɪlz// | 🇬🇧 //ɡəʊz tə ðə wɔːl//🇺🇸 //ɡoʊz tə ðə wɔl// |
| Meaning | doesn't succeed | To fail or be in a difficult situation. |
| Example | He always fails to meet the deadline. | After several bad decisions, his business really goes to the wall. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | fails to understand, fails a test, fails in life | goes to the wall for money, goes to the wall in business, goes to the wall under pressure |
| Antonyms | succeeds, achieves, wins | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'fails' in the past tense without 'failed', Confusing 'fails' with 'falls', Incorrectly using 'fails' with non-count nouns | Confusing with similar phrases like 'hits the wall'., Using it in overly formal writing or speech., Misinterpreting its meaning as physically going to a wall. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fails' to describe not succeeding in tasks, goals, or tests. Avoid using in very formal contexts. | Typically used to describe financial or personal failure. Avoid using in formal contexts as it sounds too casual. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fails vs Goes to the wall
What's the difference between Fails and Goes to the wall?
Fails: doesn't succeed Goes to the wall: To fail or be in a difficult situation.
Which is more formal: Fails and Goes to the wall?
Fails is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Fails and Goes to the wall?
Fails is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fails: He always fails to meet the deadline. Goes to the wall: After several bad decisions, his business really goes to the wall.
Can I use Fails and Goes to the wall interchangeably?
Not always. Fails and Goes to the wall are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.