Definitions and Examples of miss, fall short of, fail
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To fail to hit, catch, or reach something aimed at or desired.
Example
He threw the ball but missed the target.
Example
The company's profits fell short of their projections for the quarter.
To be unsuccessful in achieving a goal or passing a test or exam.
Example
She studied hard but still failed the driving test.
Key Differences: miss vs fall short of vs fail
- 1Miss implies a specific target or objective that was not reached.
- 2Fall short of suggests a goal or expectation that was not met, but may not have been as specific as a target.
- 3Fail indicates a general lack of success in achieving a goal or passing a test.
Effective Usage of miss, fall short of, fail
- 1Sports: Use miss to describe a failed attempt to score a point or goal.
- 2Business: Use fall short of to describe a company's failure to meet its financial targets.
- 3Education: Use fail to describe a student's inability to pass an exam or course.
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Remember this!
The antonyms of reach are miss, fall short of, and fail. These words have distinct nuances: miss implies a specific target, fall short of suggests a goal or expectation, and fail indicates a general lack of success. Use these words in different contexts such as sports, business, and education to convey the opposite meaning of reach.
