epic fail
Americannoun
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a spectacularly embarrassing or humorous mistake, humiliating situation, etc., that is subject to ridicule and given a greatly exaggerated importance.
-
a person who fails in this way.
He thought he was being funny and charming, but no, he was an epic fail.
Usage
What else does epic fail mean? When someone spectacularly messes up at something—especially little or simple things done or shared in public, like misspelling one's own name on an official form or getting rejected for a kiss on the Jumbotron—people might joke about it as an epic fail. How is epic fail pronounced?[ep-ic feyl]
Etymology
Origin of epic fail
First recorded in 2000–05
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There's no end of flak that can be flung at Russell Martin for the epic fail that is his project at Rangers.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2025
The pulling of Anderson was an epic fail.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2022
“But it’s a sort of an epic fail, really.”
From Washington Post ● Jul. 1, 2022
In ordinary times, such an epic fail might bring thousands, even hundreds of thousands, out into the streets to protest.
From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2020
My serve is what is called an epic fail, and some of the girls start doing the slow clap.
From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
