Epic Fail
Meaning: A big failure, usually one that is funny or embarrassing.
An “epic fail” is a dramatic or funny failure. It became popular on the internet and in memes to describe situations that go really wrong. People say it when something bad happens in a surprising or silly way. For example, “I tried to bake a cake without flour—epic fail.” It’s informal and often used in a light-hearted way.
How to use it
It spread through internet memes and is now common in casual talk and texting. People often say it about themselves, as a joke, when something goes wrong in a silly way. It’s informal and light-hearted, so don’t use it for serious failures or in formal writing.
Examples
- I tried to cut my own hair. Epic fail.
- I sent the joke to my boss instead of my friend. Total epic fail.
- The cake collapsed in the oven. That was an epic fail.
A common mistake
In a full sentence, use the article: That was an epic fail, not “That was epic fail.” On its own, just “Epic fail.” works. Remember that “epic” alone often means “amazing,” so “that was epic” is a compliment.
Say it out loud
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Source: Merriam-Webster