->''"If at first you don't succeed, you fail."''
-->-- '''[=GLaDOS=]''', ''VideoGame/Portal1''

There are a lot of tropes about failing. That should probably tell you something.

Contrast IndexedForSuccess.
----
!!Tropes:
[[index]]
[floatboxright:
See also:
+ ArtisticLicense
+ FinaglesLaw
+ FridgeLogic
+ {{Hypocrite}}
+ ICantFindMyIndex
+ IndexBackfire
+ IndexMyopia
+ LogicalFallacies
+ PoorCommunicationKills
+ ThisIndexIsUseless
+ WritingPitfallIndex
]
[[/index]]
[[index]]
* AbileneParadox: Failure to manage consensus--when the majority decides to do something that the majority doesn't want.
* AcquiredErrorAtThePrinter: You fail to print something properly.
* AesopAmnesia: You fail to remember the moral you learned last episode.
* AIIsACrapshoot: You fail to make your sentient computer behave.
* TheAllegedCar: Your car is prone to failure.
* TheAllegedComputer: Your computer is prone to failure.
* TheAllegedExpert: You fail to do what you were supposedly trained to do.
* AmericansHateTingle: Your work fails to gain a large foreign audience.
* AmnesiaMissedASpot: Your attempt to wipe someone's mind doesn't work as well as you'd expected.
* AntiClimaxBoss: Your final opponent fails to put up much of a fight.
* AntiMentor: You fail to be a good teacher.
* {{Anvilicious}}: Your story fails to deliver its message in a manner that is subtle and doesn't piss off people who may disagree with the message.
* AssassinOutclassin: You fail at assassination.
* AssPull: You fail to foreshadow your plot twists.
* ATeamFiring: You fail to shoot a target.
* AttentionDeficitOohShiny: You fail to concentrate.
* AtrociousAlias: You fail to give yourself a good code name.
* AudienceAlienatingPremise: You fail to attract the audience's interest.
* AudienceParticipationFailure: You fail to get audience backup in your show or song.
* AutomaticDoorMalfunction: Automatic doors fail in some way.
* AwardSnub: You fail to receive an award and/or nomination for your work.
* AwesomeButImpractical: Your technique or equipment seems amazing, but using it is a bad idea.
* BadBadActing: You fail to give even a remotely good performance.
* BadLiar: You fail to tell a lie convincingly.
* BaseBreakingCharacter: Your character unintentionally fails to appeal to approximately half your audience.
* BlatantLies: You fail to tell that somebody else is lying.
* BleepDammit: The censorship fails to effectively censor the content in the work needing to be censored.
* BlindIdiotTranslation: You fail to translate something.
* BlunderCorrectingImpulse: Bob fails in such a way as to provoke Alice to demonstrate the correct way without thinking about the consequences.
* BonusFeatureFailure: You fail to provide good bonus content.
* BoomInTheHand: You fail to throw the bomb before it explodes.
* BoxOfficeBomb: Your movie fails to make enough money.
* BrokenAesop: You fail to convey your message because your characters don't obey it. Bonus points if it was meant to be {{Anvilicious}}.
* BuffySpeak: You fail to articulate a sentence.
* BungledSuicide: You fail to commit suicide.
* ButtDialingMordor: You fail to avoid detection by making unintentional contact with the enemy.
* ButWeUsedACondom: A condom fails to work effeciently.
* CaffeineFailure: Caffeine fails to keep you awake.
* CallingMeALogarithm: You fail to realize that you weren't just slurred.
* CannotKeepASecret: You fail to protect a secret.
* CannotSpitItOut: You fail to say something succinctly.
* CannotTellAJoke: You [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin fail to tell a joke.]]
* CantGetAwayWithNuthin: You fail to stay out of trouble.
* CantGetInTroubleForNuthin: You fail to get into trouble.
* CantHoldHisLiquor: Your self-control fails when you imbibe alcohol.
* CantUseStairs: Your locomotion fails to let you use stairs.
* CaptainObviousAesop: You fail to teach a lesson people don't already know.
* CaptainObviousReveal: You fail to make your [[TheReveal big revelation]] a surprise.
* CardboardPrison: Your prison fails to contain its prisoners.
* CassandraTruth: You tell the facts, but your recipients fail to accept them.
* CharacterDerailment: You fail to keep characters consistent.
* ChristmasLightChaos: You fail to rig up Christmas lights.
* ColorFailure: You fail to keep your color when you lose your cool.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: You fail to understand the point another person is trying to get across in a humorous manner.
* CompletelyOffTopicReport: You fail to write your assignment on a subject relevant to what was assigned.
* ConceptsAreCheap: You fail to offer intellectual depth for your idealistic rhetoric.
* ConfidenceSabotage: You are tricked into believing you're a failure.
* ConflictBall: You fail to set up character conflicts properly.
* CorrectionBait: You fail ''not'' to correct the mistake you've found.
* CowboyBebopAtHisComputer: You mess up information about a work that was obvious to anyone who is familiar with said work.
* CrapolaTech: Technology that fails even to be a good prototype.
* CreatorsPet: You fail to notice the audience's hatred for a character, continuing to endorse her/him.
* CriticalExistenceFailure: You fail to stay alive, even though you were fine one hit point ago.
* CriticalFailure: You fail to roll a two or higher, thus leading to more failure.
* CriticalPsychoanalysisFailure: You fail to psychoanalyze someone.
* CryonicsFailure: Your freezing system fails, usually with fatal consequences.
* DangerousKeyFumble: You fail to hold on to your keys.
* DangerouslyLoadedCargo: You failed to secure cargo.
* DeafComposer: You can't enjoy something you made because your ability to experience the necessary sense(s) has failed.
* DeathByGenreSavviness: Your knowledge of how things happen in works of fiction similar to the situation you are currently in fails to keep you alive.
* DefensiveFailure: You fail to remember the weapon in your hand.
* DelayedSafetyFeature: A safety feature fails to activate until after it would have been useful.
* DesignatedHero: You fail to create a good character.
* DesignatedVillain: You fail to create an evil character.
* DespairEventHorizon: Your hope has failed and is beyond hope of restoration past this point.
* DidntSeeThatComing: You fail to consider the consequences of your plan.
* DidntThinkThisThrough: You fail to plan thoroughly.
* DiedDuringProduction: You fail to finish your series before you die.
* DiggingYourselfDeeper: You fail monumentally to fix a faux pas.
* DisappointingHeritageReveal: Your ancestors fail to impress you.
* DisappointingLastLevel: The final stretch of a game fails to meet expectations.
* DisastrousDemonstration: Demonstration of a product or concept goes so horribly wrong that, whether it deserves to be or not, it's discredited.
* DistractedByTheSexy: You fail to concentrate in the presence of {{Fanservice}}.
* DIYDisaster: You fail at renovating your house.
* DontShootTheMessage: Not only do you fail at enlightening others because your delivery was fallacious, vicious, or both, but for like reason(s) you fail at appealing to those on your side.
* DoppelgangerGetsSameSentiment: You fail to distinguish emotionally between someone you know and a clone/AlternateUniverse duplicate/zombie/shapeshifter that "is" or used to be them.
* DramaticallyMissingThePoint
* DreadfulMusician: You fail to make music.
* DrivesLikeCrazy: You fail to drive safely.
* DudeNotFunny: You fail to keep your comedy in good taste.
* DullSurprise: You fail to emote when, logically, you should be.
* EEqualsMCHammer: You fail to write convincing-looking mathematics.
* EightDeadlyWords: A FanSpeak phrase said when you fail to get people to be invested in your story.
* ElevatorFailure: Your elevator fails.
* EntendreFailure: You fail to make a double entendre.
* EntertaininglyWrong: Sound though your reasoning is, it nonetheless fails to lead you to an accurate conclusion.
* EpicFail: You fail ''spectacularly''.
* EscapedAnimalRampage: When people failed to keep animals locked in their cages.
* EveryCarIsAPinto: Cars catch on fire and/or explode when badly damaged.
* EvilCannotComprehendGood: Villains fail due to their inability to see how virtue motivates their adversaries.
* EvilWillFail: You can pursue a life of evil if you wish, but there'll be severe consequences.
* ExactTimeToFailure: Initiating failure in three... two... one...
* ExplosiveResults: The failure of a device/concoction/spell results in a comical explosion, a cloud of smoke, and ash on someone's face.
* ExplosiveStupidity: You fail to handle a bomb correctly.
* FMinusMinus: You fail spectacularly at schoolwork.
* FacialCompositeFailure: You fail to draw an accurate Wanted poster.
* FailedASpotCheck: You fail to spot something two inches from your face.
* FailedAttemptAtDrama: You fail to make a dramatic moment.
* FailedAttemptAtScaring: You fail to scare someone.
* FailedAuditionPlot: You fail an audition for your dream career, but find a reason to keep trying.
* FailedDramaticExit: You fail to leave your setting promptly on the note you wanted.
* FailedExecutionNoSentence: After repeatedly failing to execute a criminal, the judge gives up and pardons the criminal.
* FailedFutureForecast: You fail to predict the future.
* FailingATaxi: You fail to hail a taxi.
* FailsafeFailure: You fail to make a failsafe.
* FailureGambit: You fail intentionally as part of a grander scheme.
* FailureHero: You fail to save the day.
* FailureInducedTransformation: Being defeated or failing in some way causes the loser to transform...
* FailureIsTheOnlyOption: You have no choice but to fail because success would end the story.
* FailureKnight: Your backstory revolves around some failure.
* FailureMontage: You are shown failing in various ways.
* FailuresOnIce: You fail to skate, especially on ice.
* FalloutShelterFail: You fail at riding out the apocalypse in safety.
* FemininityFailure: You fail to be ladylike.
* FetishRetardant: You fail at {{Fanservice}}.
* FightSceneFailure: You fail to direct an awesome fight scene.
* FlameBait: You fail to realize the intensity of the mutual ValuesDissonance between you and other people online.
* FlashbackFail: When someone tries to remember something, but is somehow unable to do so.
* FlawedPrototype: Something fails because it is an early model and not as good as the final product.
* FloorboardFailure: The floorboards have failed to support your weight.
* ForgotAboutHisPowers: You fail to remember that you have a power that can save you.
* FreudianSlipperySlope: You fail to prevent further {{Freudian Slip}}s.
* GaveUpTooSoon: You failed because you gave up at the last second when you were about to succeed.
* GeneralFailure: Your plans fail to prove you earned your rank as General.
* GiftGivingGaffe: You fail to get someone a suitable present.
* GlamourFailure: You fail to hide who you really are.
* AGlitchInTheMatrix: Your otherwise convincing illusion momentarily malfunctions.
* GoingHomeAgain: Making it to the big leagues, flunking, and returning home in shame or to clear the mind.
* GoneHorriblyRight: Your plan worked, but you fail to consider its consequences.
* GoneHorriblyWrong: Not only does your plan not work, it fails to work in disastrous ways.
* GoodCannotComprehendEvil: Heroes fail due to their inability to see how vice motivates their adversaries.
* GottaPassTheClass: You're failing at school, so you'd better hit the books.
* GroupCostumeFail: You fail to coordinate your costuming with others.
* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: The guards fail to do their jobs.
* HalfBakedNiceness: Your compliment fails to be what a compliment should be.
* HandWave: You fail to explain complicated plot points in great detail.
* HaplessSelfHelp: When teaching others how to help themselves, you fail to practice what you preach.
* HappilyFailedSuicide: You failed to commit suicide, and that's a good thing.
* HarmlessVillain: You fail to be a credible villain.
* HeroTrackingFailure: You fail to shoot a moving target with PlotArmor.
* HeroWithAnFInGood: You fail to be heroic.
* HeroicBSOD: Your brain fails at a crucial juncture as you are committing your good deeds.
* HeroicFatigue: A hero suffering the breaking point of being a hero.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: You bring your own failure directly upon yourself.
* HollywoodHeartAttack: Your heart dramatically fails to work.
* HolodeckMalfunction: Holograms glitch and become deadly.
* HorsingAround: You fail at getting the steed to do what you want it to.
* {{Hypocrite}}: You fail to practice what you preach.
* ICantDance: You admit that you are a failure at dancing.
* IdiotBall: Your brain temporarily fails to work properly.
* IgnorantAboutFire: You fail to prevent a fire from starting or spreading due to being too stupid, naive, or clumsy.
* IgnorantOfTheirOwnIgnorance: You fail to realize your own ineptitude.
* IJustShotMarvinInTheFace: You shoot someone due to [[RecklessGunUsage failing to handle a gun properly]].
* ILetGwenStacyDie: You fail to save your loved ones.
* IllNeverTellYouWhatImTellingYou: You fail ''epically'' at keeping a secret, even as you insist you'll succeed.
* ImmunityAttrition: Your immunity to something only protects you in the short run, but prolonged exposure cancels it out.
* ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy: Your entire army fails to shoot a moving target with PlotArmor.
* ImposterForgotOneDetail: You fail to convince others you are someone else.
* IncompetenceInc: Your business fails at everything.
* IncompetentGuardAnimal: An animal meant to guard, protect or chase away hilariously fails at its job.
* InconvenientDarkRoomIllumination: You fail to lock the dark room door, and someone barged in and let light ruin the photos you were developing.
* IneffectualSympatheticVillain: Your evil schemes fail so often that the audience feels sorry for you.
* INeverSaidItWasPoison: You fail because you demonstrated knowledge you shouldn't have had.
* INeverToldYouMyName: You fail to avoid mentioning a person's name when you're trying to convince them that they never met you before.
* IneptMage: You fail at magic.
* InformedAttribute: You fail to demonstrate that a character is what you say s/he is like.
* InopportuneImpersonationFailure: A character in disguise fails at the last second and is unmasked.
* InsecurityCamera: A security camera fails to be useful, which is good news for you, the intruder.
* InsultMisfire: You fail to offend your intended target.
* InUniverseFactoidFailure: You fail to get a fact right.
* IThoughtEveryoneCouldDoThat: You fail to realize everyone else's ineptitude compared to you.
* ItOnlyWorksOnce: Your previously successful technique fails when used again.
* ItsAWonderfulFailure: You see the repercussions of your failure before you see Game Over.
* IWillPunishYourFriendForYourFailure: You failed, so your pal's got pain coming.
* JerkSue: You fail to create a JerkassWoobie.
* JumpRopeBlunders: You fail to skip rope.
* JustOneLittleMistake: You failed to get away with your crime because of one minor slip-up.
* KeyConfusion: You fail to find the correct key among a bunch of other keys.
* LameComeback: You fail to come up with a witty one-liner.
* LaserGuidedAmnesia: Your memory fails you whenever it's convenient for somebody else.
* LastSecondPhotoFailure: You ''almost'' maintained order until the picture was taken, but you failed to prevent chaos at the last second.
* LazyAlias: You fail to come up with a convincing fake name.
* LethalChef: You fail at cooking.
* LiteralMinded: You fail to understand metaphors.
* LogicBomb: Your statement fails to maintain consistency with reality and possibility.
* LooseLips: You fail to prevent yourself from giving away information at your own and other people's peril.
* LosingHorns: Brass instruments or some other sound effects mock your failure.
* LostAesop: You fail to remember the message you were originally trying to send.
* MacGuffinBlindness: You fail to recognize the object you're looking for when it's right in front of you.
* MadeOutToBeAJerkass: You lose face when you stand up for yourself.
* MagicMisfire: You fail to cast your spell on your intended target.
* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: You fail to react to a serious injury.
* MakeoverFail: A makeover fails to make a person look better.
* MatchmakerFailure: Character tries and fails to set two people up together.
* MaternallyChallenged: A woman fails to be good with children.
* MayorPain: You fail as a city leader.
* MeaninglessMeaningfulWords: Your phrase with a "unique" meaning is anything but.
* MemeticLoser: You are famous for your many and/or spectacular failures.
* {{Metaphorgotten}}: You fail to convey a metaphor.
* MindYourStep: A staircase's structural integrity fails.
* MinionWithAnFInEvil: You fail to be villainous.
* MissConception: You fail to realize that you need to have sex to get pregnant.
* MissedTheRecital: You failed to arrive at a special event on time.
* MisspellingOutLoud: You fail to spell a word out loud.
* MistakesAreNotTheEndOfTheWorld: As long as you tried your best, it's OK to fail.
* MoneyIsNotPower: You fail to bribe your way out of facing the consequences of your actions.
* MookDepletion: You let yourself run out of {{Evil Minion}}s.
* MoralEventHorizon: You cross the line into villainy for good.
* MorphicResonance: Your shape-shifting fails to effectively hide your identity because of certain recognizable traits that stick no matter what form you assume.
* MortonsFork: You fail regardless of the choice you make.
* TheMountainsOfIllinois: You fail to provide proper geography when filming your show or movie.
* MuggingTheMonster: You fail to realize that the target of your crime is NotSoHarmless.
* MuggleBornOfMages: Special talent skips a generation.
* MyCarHatesMe: Your getaway car fails to start.
* MyGreatestFailure: You have never failed harder than this.
* MyGreatestSecondChance: Preventing a a failure of yours from happening again, to you or to others.
* MyHovercraftIsFullOfEels: You fail to speak a foreign language.
* {{Narm}}: You fail to make a scene serious.
* NearMisses: The most tension/comedy is achieved by an event just barely not happening.
* NecessaryFail: You failed, but it's going to lead to greater things in the future.
* NetworkDeath: Your TV network fails to stay on the air.
* NeverBringAFriendToAnAudition: You fail at landing a role that you're auditioning for yourself; your friend got it instead.
* NeverMyFault: You fail to realize the responsibilities of your own actions.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Hero fails by trying to solve the problem.
* NiceJobBreakingItRivals: You and your enemy both fail because neither of you could bear the thought of the other winning.
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: Villain fails by trying to cause a problem.
* NoAdequatePunishment: The law has no idea how to punish a specific crime.
* NoCanOpener: Hoarding canned items for emergencies but forgetting the can opener.
* NoDeadBodyPoops: You fail to brown your pants when you die.
* NoJustNoReaction: You reject something while failing to articulate why you refuse to accept it properly.
* NoListeningSkills: You fail to listen to anything anyone tells you.
* NonSequiturThud: You fail to say something meaningful after an injury.
* NoOSHACompliance: You fail to provide a safe workplace.
* NoSell: Your ploy that usually succeeds fails on this person.
* NoSocialSkills: You fail to carry on in a social setting.
* NotDistractedByTheSexy: {{Fanservice}} fails to throw you off your track.
* NotQuiteSavedEnough: You fail to keep yourself or someone you rescued safe from harm just as the dust clears.
* NurseWithGoodIntentions: Someone tries to care for their sick or injured friend, but causes more problems than success.
* ObliviouslyEvil: You fail to realize that you're a villain.
* ObliviousToHatred: You fail to realize someone else hates you.
* ObliviousToHints: You fail to take a hint.
* ObliviousToHisOwnDescription: You fail to realize that someone is talking about you.
* ObliviousToLove: You fail to realize that someone has romantic feelings for you.
* ObviousBeta: You fail to program a game.
* ObviousJudas: You fail to make your [[EvilAllAlong twist villain]] a surprise.
* ObviouslyEvil: Villains fail at subtlety.
* ObviousStuntDouble: The stunt double fails to pass as the actor.
* OfCourseISmoke: You fail to pretend to be a smoker.
* OffendingTheCreatorsOwn: You fail to appeal to viewers from your own background.
* OpenFlyGag: You fail to check and adjust your clothes below the waist before anyone else reminds you.
* OpenRelationshipFailure: A non-monogamous relationship has problems for reasons directly related to it being non-monogamous.
* OpenSecret: You tell that it is a secret, [[TemptingFate and then everyone goes to it and finds out]].
* OtherworldlyCommunicationFailure: Supernatural being fails to communicate their message to a human either because they freak them out or because they physically can't interact or talk to non-supernatural beings.
* OutGambitted: Your plan fails when pitted against someone else's.
* OvershadowedByControversy: You fail to make your work remembered for its merits, and instead remembered for an uproar.
* OwnGoal: You fail to score a point in the opponent's goal, but succeed in scoring in your own team's goal.
* PaperThinDisguise: You fail to recognize someone who is barely concealing his/her identity.
* PassFail: You fail to be recognized as white, even if you're not.
* ThePasswordIsAlwaysSwordfish: You fail to create a good password.
* PersonalHorror: You fail to follow your own CodeOfHonor.
* ThePeterPrinciple: You succeeded at your old position, but fail at your new one.
* PhlebotinumBreakdown: Your fantastic technology or magical item fails right when you need it most.
* PlanBResolution: Plan A was thought to be the only real plan needed, and with its failure, an emergency Plan B is needed.
* PlotHole: You fail to maintain your story's internal logic while writing it.
* PlotMandatedFriendshipFailure: The hero's friends [[ConflictBall suddenly and temporarily fail to be friends]] for the sole reason of adding more drama to the plot.
* PlumbersCrack: The plumber failed to check whether their pants or jeans wouldn't sag down to expose their butt crack when they bent over.
* PointyHairedBoss: You fail as a business leader.
* PokeThePoodle: Your attempt at an evil act fails to be evil.
* ThePoorlyChosenOne: TheChosenOne fails his job.
* PopculturalOsmosisFailure: You fail to recognize another demographic's pop-culture references.
* PottyFailure: You fail to keep your pants clean.
* PowerfulButIncompetent: A character that has great power or ability, but is too dumb to actually accomplish anything with it.
* PowerIncontinence: You fail to keep your power under control.
* ThePresentsWereNeverFromSanta: You fail to recognize the ''true'' source of all those useful things you got.
* RecognitionFailure: You fail to recognize someone.
* RecklessGunUsage: You fail to [[UsefulNotes/GunSafety handle a gun properly]].
* RedemptionFailure: You fail to remain on the side of good.
* ReliablyUnreliableGuns: Your gun is poorly made, so it [[WheresTheKaboom fails to shoot when it's supposed to]] and/or [[FailsafeFailure shoots when it's not supposed to]].
* ReminderFailure: You fail to remember why you set up your mnemonics.
* RepeatedRehearsalFailure: Your rehearsed message [[WordSaladHumor fails to stay coherent]] as you repeat it.
* RevealingCoverUp: You fail to hide something immoral or incriminating.
* RockBeatsLaser: Your state-of-the-art technology fails against more primitive weapons.
* RootingForTheEmpire: You fail to get your audience to root for the hero against the villain.
* RougeAnglesOfSatin: Yew fell two use wards car wrecked lee (You fail to use words correctly).
* RummageFail: You fail to find something in a bag of random items.
* RunningIntoTheWindow: You fail to prevent your collision with a window.
* SamaritanSyndrome: You fail to rescue everybody when you're try to save a bunch of people.
* SarcasmBlind: You fail to understand sarcasm.
* SarcasmFailure: You fail to express sarcasm.
* SayingTooMuch: You fail to avoid revealing confidential information.
* ScrappyMechanic: You fail at making a game mechanic fun.
* TheScrappy: Your character unintentionally fails to garner a {{Fandom}}, instead garnering a {{Hatedom}}.
* SeekingTheIntangible: You fail to realize that intangible/abstract things can't be sought for.
* SelfFulfillingProphecy: You failed to ScrewDestiny because you made it happen yourself.
* SelfOffense: You hurt your buddies because you failed to recognize they weren't your enemies.
* SelfPunishmentOverFailure: You punish yourself for failing at something.
* SenselessSacrifice: You fail to accomplish anything with your HeroicSacrifice.
* ShaggyDogStory: A story's buildup fails to have a payoff.
* ShallowCannotComprehendTrueLove: A superficial person fails to understand that not everyone else is shallow.
* ShapeshiftingFailure: Your {{shapeshifting}} is imperfect or falls apart quickly.
* ShoehornedAcronym: You fail to make an acronym well.
* ShootTheShaggyDogStory: A story's buildup fails to have a payoff, and the characters shall die for it.
* ShortLivedAerialEscape: The helicopter sent to rescue you fails to get away after you get on board.
* TheShowMustGoWrong: You fail to keep disaster from happening during your performance.
* SickCaptiveScam: A guard fails to realize a captive is faking illness[=/=]injury to get the drop on him.
* TheSimpleGestureWins: After several grand gestures fail, the one that works is the unimpressive one.
* SkepticismFailure: You fail to disprove the existence of the supernatural.
* SkewedPriorities: You fail to notice what is more important.
* SlipperySwimsuit: Your swimsuit fails to stay on your body.
* SoMuchForStealth: You managed to sneak this far, but now you've failed to maintain your stealth.
* SpannerInTheWorks: Your evil plan is thwarted because you failed to anticipate the involvement of the hero who thwarts the plan.
* SpecialEffectFailure: You failed to fund the SFX department properly.
* SpringtimeForHitler: A FailureGambit fails by becoming an unexpected, unwanted success.
* StaircaseTumble: You fail to keep your balance on a staircase, either because of [[MindYourStep a faulty staircase]] or [[CantUseStairs your own body.]]
* StillbornFranchise: Your work fails to start an intended franchise.
* StreisandEffect: You fail to suppress knowledge of something, and are making it more widely known, instead.
* StatusQuoGameShow: You failed to win a game show because StatusQuoIsGod.
* StockFootageFailure: You fail to realize that was a bad time to use StockFootage.
* StrawCharacter: You fail to present your opponents' actual arguments.
* StrawmanHasAPoint: You fail to make your opponents look irrational.
* SturgeonsLaw: You'll fail nine times out of ten.
* SucksAtDancing: You fail at dancing.
* SuckySchool: Your educational institution fails to function.
* SurveillanceStationSlacker: Whoever watches the security cameras fails to do their job.
* SuspectExistenceFailure: The suspects for a crime you're investigating fail to stay alive. This hints that you've probably failed to put the perpetrator on your suspect list.
* SuspectIsHatless: You're asked to describe a person, but fail to make your description specific enough to narrow down who the person could be.
* SuspiciouslySpecificDenial: You fail to avoid suspicion because you denied stuff the other person hasn't even accused you of.
* SwissCheeseSecurity: Your security fails to keep people out.
* SymbologyResearchFailure: You fail to remember that cool logo you saw the other day and put into your work actually has religious meanings.
* TeleporterAccident: You fail at teleportation.
* TestingRangeMishap: You fail at the testing range and possibly beyond it.
* ThinksOfSomethingSmartSaysSomethingStupid: You fail to say a smart thing despite thinking of one, and say a stupid thing instead.
* ThirdPartyDealBreaker: An agreement falls apart because somebody outside the deal interferes with it.
* ThoughtAversionFailure: You fail ''not'' to think about something when ordered not to.
* ThreadOfProphecySevered: A prophecy fails to come to pass due to something involved in it breaking.
* ThrowThePin: You fail to handle a grenade correctly.
* TimeForPlanB: Your first plan failed; on to the backup.
* TooBleakStoppedCaring: You fail to give your audience anything to like about your work's setting and characters.
* TooDumbToLive: Because you failed so badly to think things through, your body fails to keep working.
* TortureIsIneffective: You fail to torture information out of a prisoner.
* TotallyRadical: You fail at youth culture forever.
* ATragedyOfImpulsiveness: You failed because you just ''couldn't wait''.
* TranslationByVolume: You fail to communicate with foreigners.
* TranslationTrainWreck: You fail ''monumentally'' to translate something.
* TrapDoorFail: You fail to drop someone down through a trapdoor.
* TrappedByMountainLions: You fail to make the characters' stories relevant to the greater plotline.
* TrappedTheWrongTarget: A trap catches someone or something other than the intended target.
* TrustBuildingBlunder: An exercise meant to improve interpersonal trust increases tensions because someone intentionally or unintentionally messed it up.
* TutorialFailure: You fail to teach someone how to play a game properly.
* UnderlingWithAnFInPR: You don't care about the media fallout of your actions.
* UnexpectedlyRealMagic: You fail to realize what you're doing is magic until it's too late.
* UnfortunateCharacterDesign: You fail to notice that you designed the character in a way that they look unintentionally risque or offensive.
* UnfortunateImplications: You fail to notice an accidental {{stereotype}} or other offensive aspect in your work before making it public.
* UnfortunateItemSwap: You fail to tell those two important objects apart.
* UnintentionallySympathetic: You fail to create a proper HateSink.
* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: You fail to create a likeable character.
* UnintentionallyUnwinnable: The programmer and/or game designer fails, or the player fails by trying too hard or messing around.
* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: You fail to make a timeless work.
* {{Unishment}}: You fail to make the punishee rue the consequences.
* TheUnsmile: You fail to smile properly.
* UnsuccessfulPetAdoption: You fail to own a pet, either because it runs away or is sent away.
* {{Unwinnable}}: The game can only end in failure, no matter how much you win.
* UnwinnableByDesign: The programmer intentionally designs a game that can only end in failure.
* UpsideDownBlueprints: An architect follows the blueprints they're reading... only to build the project upside down.
* UselessSecurityCamera: A security camera fails to be useful, which is bad news for you, the police.
* ValuesDissonance: Your work fails to connect with people outside the intellectual fashions of your time and place.
* VideoCallFail: A video call which goes off the rails, usually thanks to the user of it.
* ViewerNameConfusion: Audiences fail to get your name right.
* VillainousBreakdown: You lose your composure and/or sanity when your EvilPlan fails.
* VillainousPlanInertia: You defeated the villain, but that alone won't stop his plan.
* VirtualAssistantBlunder: Your smart device fails to understand what you just asked it.
* VoodooShark: You fail to cover your plot holes.
* WalkingTechbane: You fail to prevent your mere presence from causing machinery to fail.
* WardrobeMalfunction: Your clothes fail to cover you.
* WatchOutForThatTree: You fail to prevent your collision with a tree.
* WatchWhereYoureGoing: You fail to prevent your collision with someone else.
* WeAreStrugglingTogether: You fail to cooperate with someone who shares your objectives.
* WearingItAllWrong: You fail to put a garment on the right body part.
* WeaksauceWeakness: Your defences fail against a common and/or feeble attack.
* WhatDoesThisButtonDo: You fail to exercise restraint around buttons that you shouldn't be pressing.
* WhatTheFuAreYouDoing: You fail at martial arts.
* WheresTheKaboom: You fail to make something explode.
* WhereWhere: You fail to recognize that someone is referring to you.
* WimpFight: You and your opponent fail at fighting.
* WithCatlikeTread: Your attempt at stealth [[EpicFail has the complete opposite effect.]]
* WitlessProtectionProgram: WitnessProtection fails to prevent criminal retaliation.
* WorfHadTheFlu: You fail because of a temporary disadvantage.
* WorldLimitedToThePlot: You fail to build context for your story.
* WrongLineOfWork: Someone gets a job they lack the proper skills for.
* YouAnsweredYourOwnQuestion: You fail to see the obvious answer contained within your own question.
* YouAreTooLate: You fail to reach your destination on time.
* YouCantFightFate: Your attempts to ScrewDestiny will fail every time.
* YouCantThwartStageOne: You fail to stop a villain's plan even when you ''should'' have succeeded.
* YouHaveFailedMe: You fail to please your superior, and pay the price for it.
* YouJustRuinedTheShot: You interrupted the actors because you failed to distinguish acting from reality.
* YouJustToldMe: You fail to recognize that someone is tricking you into revealing the secret.
* YouKeepUsingThatWord: You fail to understand the actual definition of a word you use.
* YourCostumeNeedsWork: You, the genuine article, fail to be recognizable when compared to imitations.
* YouWereTryingTooHard: You failed because you had to do the job calmly.
[[/index]]
----
''[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Index shutting down… ]]
''
----