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Success and Failure Vocabulary

(prepared by Mr. Walid Yousef)

1 Word Definitions & Examples

Success Words

Flourish يزدهر

To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way.

Example: "The new business began to flourish after the first year."

Masterstroke خبطة معلم / عمل بارع

An outstandingly skillful and opportune move.

Example: "Hiring the expert was a masterstroke that saved the project."

Pay off يؤتي ثماره

To result in success or a beneficial outcome.

Example: "All those long nights of studying finally paid off when I passed the exam."

Failure Words

Blunder غلطة فادحة

A stupid or careless mistake.

Example: "He made a tactical blunder that cost him the game."

Flop فشل ذريع

A total failure, typically a movie or a play.

Example: "The much-hyped movie was a total flop at the box office."

Get nowhere لا يحقق شيئاً

To make no progress or have no success.

Example: "We spent hours arguing but we got nowhere."

Mess up يفسد / يخطئ

To do something badly or fail at something.

Example: "I really messed up my interview yesterday."

Setback عقبة / انتكاسة

A reversal or check in progress.

Example: "The team suffered a major setback when their best player was injured."

2 Categorize the Words

Drag and drop the words from the box into the correct column.

blunder
flop
flourish
get nowhere
masterstroke
mess up
pay off
setback

Success

Failure

3 Knowledge Challenge

Choose the best word to complete each sentence. You get instant feedback on every click!

1. Despite the team's hard work, the project was a total ________ and was cancelled within weeks.

2. It was an absolute ________ to reveal the secret launch date before the contract was signed.

3. Her decision to pivot the company's focus toward AI proved to be a ________.

4. After years of trying to solve the mystery, the detective realized he was ________ and decided to close the case.

5. It was a major ________ for the company when their main factory was flooded.

6. I really ________ the presentation by forgetting the most important slides.

7. The garden began to ________ after we installed the new irrigation system.

8. Putting all his savings into that risky stock was a huge ________; he lost everything.

9. The restaurant was a huge ________ because the food was overpriced and the service was poor.

10. Hard work will eventually ________ if you stay consistent and focused.