Failure idioms

21 failure idioms with what each one means. Tap one for its origin, examples and a quick check.

Back to square one
Back to square one means back to the beginning, after an effort has failed, so you have to start again.
Back to the drawing board
Back to the drawing board means you must start planning again because the first attempt or idea failed.
Barking up the wrong tree
If you are barking up the wrong tree, you are looking in the wrong place or blaming the wrong person.
Basket case
A basket case is a person too nervous, stressed or upset to cope, or a thing, such as a business, that barely works.
Bite the dust
To bite the dust means to fail, break, be defeated or stop working. In older or dramatic use, it can also mean to die.
Chickens come home to roost
When chickens come home to roost, bad things someone did in the past come back to cause problems for them.
Clean slate
A clean slate is a fresh start, with past mistakes, debts or problems forgotten or set aside.
Close but no cigar
Close but no cigar means someone almost succeeded or nearly got the right answer, but not quite.
Cry over spilled milk
To cry over spilled milk is to be upset about something bad that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Cut your losses
To cut your losses is to stop doing something that is failing, so you don't lose even more money, time or effort.
Dead as a doornail
Dead as a doornail means completely dead, or completely finished, with no chance of coming back.
Drop the ball
To drop the ball is to make a mistake by failing to do something you were responsible for.
Egg on your face
If you have egg on your face, you look foolish or embarrassed because something you said or did turned out to be wrong.
Face the music
To face the music means to accept the unpleasant results of something you did, such as criticism or punishment.
Flash in the pan
A flash in the pan is someone or something that has a sudden, short success that does not last.
Laughing stock
A laughing stock is a person or group that everyone laughs at or makes fun of, often because of something foolish.
Once bitten, twice shy
Once bitten, twice shy means that after a bad experience, people become extra careful to avoid the same thing happening again.
Penny wise, pound foolish
Penny wise, pound foolish describes someone who is careful about small amounts of money but wasteful or careless with large amounts.
Pull the plug
To pull the plug is to stop something, such as a project, plan or business, usually by ending the money or support it depends on.
The writing on the wall
The writing on the wall is a clear sign that something bad, such as failure or the end of something, is coming.
Throw in the towel
To throw in the towel is to give up or admit that you cannot win or succeed.

Failure idioms

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