epic fail

American  

noun

Slang.

1. a spectacularly embarrassing or humorous mistake, humiliating situation, etc., that is subject to ridicule and given a greatly exaggerated importance.

2. a person who fails in this way.

   He thought he was being funny and charming, but no, he was an epic fail.

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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

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

“But it’s a sort of an epic fail, really.”

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2022

Chalk it up as an epic tale, or an epic fail, as to why Deontay Wilder turned in the worst performance of his professional career when he lost to Tyson Fury.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2021

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

But the big details of my epic fail are all here.

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya