failing

noun

1. 弱点；缺点
   a weakness or fault in sb/sth
   1. She is aware of her own failings.
      她了解自己的弱点。
   2. The inquiry acknowledges failings in the judicial system.
      这次调查承认司法制度有缺陷。

prep.

1. 如果不能；如果没有
   used to introduce a suggestion that could be considered if the one just mentioned is not possible
   1. Ask a friend to recommend a doctor or, failing that , ask for a list in your local library.
      请朋友推荐一位医生，如果办不到就向当地图书馆要一份名单。

1. N-COUNT 过错;缺陷;不足
   The failings of someone or something are their faults or unsatisfactory features.
   1. Like many in Russia, she blamed the country's failings on futile attempts to catch up with the West...
      像俄罗斯很多人一样，她认为国家的错误就在于徒然地竭力追赶西方。
   2. He had invented an imaginary son, in order to make up for his real son's failings.
      为了弥补现实中儿子的不足之处，他就想象出了一个儿子。
2. PHRASE (引出另一种选择)如果不能的话，万一不行的话
   You say failing that to introduce an alternative, in case what you have just said is not possible.
   1. Find someone who will let you talk things through, or failing that, write down your thoughts.
      找个能让你把事情说清楚的人，如果不行的话，就把你所想的写下来。

1. Any soldier failing to report would be considered absent without leave and punished accordingly.
   士兵若未报到将被视为擅离职守而受处分。
2. The president has been accused of failing to articulate an overall vision in foreign affairs.
   总统因未能清晰表述对外交事务的整体构想而受到指责。
3. He was declared bankrupt after failing to pay a £ 114m loan guarantee.
   由于无力偿还1.14亿英镑的贷款担保，他被宣布破产。
4. He will attempt to put behind him the misery of failing to win a medal in his individual event.
   他会尽力忘掉自己没能在个人项目上夺牌的痛苦。
5. The minister criticised the police for failing to come up with any leads
   部长批评警方没能找到任何线索。
6. She was partly to blame for failing to look as she crossed the road
   她过马路时没注意看，负有部分责任。
7. For failing to report the accident, his licence was endorsed
   由于发生事故未能报告，他的驾驶执照被注明违章。
8. Who wants to buy a computer from a failing company?
   谁愿意从一家要倒闭的公司买计算机呢？
9. An apparently failing memory is damaging for a national leader.
   明显的记忆力衰退对一个国家领导人来说极为不利。
10. Lawyers are accused of failing in their duties to advise clients of their rights
    律师们被控未尽到告知当事人其正当权利的职责。
11. If we did not report what was happening in the country, we would be failing in our duty.
    如果我们没有报道这个国家正在发生的事情，我们就没有尽到自己的责任。
12. I lived in fear of failing my end-of-term exams.
    我总是担心期末考试不及格。
13. Like many in Russia, she blamed the country's failings on futile attempts to catch up with the West
    像俄罗斯很多人一样，她认为国家的错误就在于徒然地竭力追赶西方。
14. He had invented an imaginary son, in order to make up for his real son's failings.
    为了弥补现实中儿子的不足之处，他就想象出了一个儿子。
15. Find someone who will let you talk things through, or failing that, write down your thoughts.
    找个能让你把事情说清楚的人，如果不行的话，就把你所想的写下来。
16. For the first time in my career, I was failing.
    我职业生涯中第一次经历失败。
17. He criticised the government for failing to halt economic decline
    他批评政府未能遏止经济下滑。
18. They were charged with failing to have professional indemnity cover
    他们被指控未能提供职业保险保障。
19. They claim the council has prejudiced their health by failing to deal with asbestos.
    他们声称，理事会没有处理好石棉的问题，从而损害了他们的健康。
20. People accused the ministry of failing to take adequate preventive measures.
    人们谴责该政府部门未能采取足够的预防措施。
21. That's a general British failing. In the USA it's quite different
    那是英国人的普遍缺点。在美国，情况就大不一样了。
22. My sight is failing, and I can't see to read any more
    我的视力在下降，看不了书了。
23. He had siphoned thousands of pounds a week from the failing business
    他一周之内从这家濒临破产的企业里抽走了数千英镑的资金。
24. Failing to tackle the deficit would be throwing away an opportunity we haven't had for a generation
    如果不能成功解决赤字问题，我们将错过等了一代人才等来的机会。
25. Her ambition to become an artist was thwarted by failing eyesight.
    她想成为艺术家的梦想由于视力衰减而破灭了。
26. Liam surprised his tutors by twice failing a second year exam.
    利亚姆两次都没能通过大二的一门考试，这让他的导师们很吃惊。
27. In a way, I suppose I'm frightened of failing
    我想我有点惧怕失败。
28. My eyesight is failing.
    我眼力不济了。

noun

1. failure to reach a minimum required performance
   1. his failing the course led to his disqualification
   2. he got two flunks on his report

   Synonym:    flunk

2. a flaw or weak point
   1. he was quick to point out his wife's failings

   Synonym:    weakness

adj

1. below acceptable in performance
   1. received failing grades