only succeed in
phrase
: to do the opposite of what one is trying to do : to achieve an undesired result
I tried to apologize but only succeeded in making her angrier.
Cite this Entry
“Only succeed in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only%20succeed%20in. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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