epic fail

noun

Slang.

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.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of epic fail¹

First recorded in 2000–05

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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.

While the report, by Virginia-based consulting firm McChrystal Group, confirmed The Times’ reporting that first revealed the late evacuation orders, it did not detail exactly who or what was responsible for the breakdown, which county officials have previously called “an epic fail.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who serves as the de facto mayor for Altadena, was quick to criticize what she called the evacuation “epic fail” in west Altadena, but Barger said this specific shortcoming doesn’t necessarily point to a larger issue about Altadena’s resources or support.

From Los Angeles Times

But self-policing has proved an epic fail: the Ethics Code you adopted is a toothless joke that said nothing about Alito and Thomas’ malfeasance.

From Salon

First she’d set Brooklyn up for an epic fail only to see her turn it into a huge victory.

From Literature

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When To Use

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]

epicentrum epic hero

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