Cool MateFail vs If anything goes sideways
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fail
Top 2,000 (common)A2verb
If anything goes sideways
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Fail
| Fail | If anything goes sideways | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪf ˈɛnɪθɪŋ ɡəʊz ˈsaɪdweɪz//🇺🇸 //ɪf ˈɛniˌθɪŋ ɡoʊz ˈsaɪdweɪz// |
| Meaning | To not succeed in doing something. | If something goes wrong or doesn't happen as planned. |
| Example | I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam. | We have a solid plan, but if anything goes sideways, we can adapt. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | dismally, miserably, spectacularly, cannot, can hardly, be bound to, in, try and fail, completely, totally | plan goes sideways, things go sideways, if nothing goes sideways, project goes sideways, event goes sideways |
| Antonyms | succeed, prevail, triumph | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fail' and 'fail at' - remember 'fail' can stand alone., 'Failed' used incorrectly in progressive tenses - it’s typically past tense., Overusing 'fail' in positive contexts where a softer word like 'struggle' might be better. | Confused with 'if everything goes smoothly'., 'Sideways' used incorrectly as a noun instead of an adverb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fail' in neutral contexts such as reports or everyday conversations. Avoid using it in overly formal situations. For failure in a job or exam, it's often directed towards the action not the person. | Use in informal discussions about potential problems. Less appropriate in strict formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fail vs If anything goes sideways
What's the difference between Fail and If anything goes sideways?
Fail: To not succeed in doing something. If anything goes sideways: If something goes wrong or doesn't happen as planned.
Which is more common: Fail and If anything goes sideways?
Fail is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fail: I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam. If anything goes sideways: We have a solid plan, but if anything goes sideways, we can adapt.
Can I use Fail and If anything goes sideways interchangeably?
Not always. Fail and If anything goes sideways 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.