failing that
idiom
formal
: if something (already specified) does not happen or succeed
We could try to persuade them by arguing or, failing that, we could threaten to cancel the deal.
Examples of failing that in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That would leave a reasonable amount of time to try to find a resolution with Liverpool, or failing that, reach an agreement somewhere else.
—
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
There is extraordinary work that the United States must do to deter a conflict or, failing that, to deny and defeat Chinese military adventurism.
—Bonny Lin, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2025
Academy staff base their work on key performance indicators, which are to provide first-team players but, failing that, provide value to Villa through sales.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 22 July 2024
So, in that spirit of interstellar exploration, here are 13 of the most memorable ways to travel faster than light — or, failing that, cheat.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing that
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Simon Hughes, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
There is extraordinary work that the United States must do to deter a conflict or, failing that, to deny and defeat Chinese military adventurism.
—Bonny Lin, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2025
Academy staff base their work on key performance indicators, which are to provide first-team players but, failing that, provide value to Villa through sales.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 22 July 2024
So, in that spirit of interstellar exploration, here are 13 of the most memorable ways to travel faster than light — or, failing that, cheat.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for failing that
Cite this Entry
“Failing that.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/failing%20that. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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