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

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The Paris accord is aimed at limiting long-term global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit or, failing that, keeping temperatures at least well below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above preindustrial levels. —

David Keyton and Sibi Arasu, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025 Passengers’ main recourse is through airlines’ customer service departments or, failing that, small claims court. —

Ryan Craggs, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025 Rights groups and some lawmakers have pushed successive U.S. administrations to close Guantanamo or, failing that, release all those detainees never charged with a crime. —

Ellen Knickmeyer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Rights groups and some lawmakers have campaigned for years for successive U.S. administrations to close Guantánamo or, failing that, release all those detainees never charged with a crime. —

Lilith Foster-Collins, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for failing that