English Reference
Idiom idiom

words fail someone


Someone is incapable of describing something with words, especially due to fear, shock, or surprise.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

Words fail me when I see such a beautiful sunset.

CONTEXTUAL

When the boss announced the sudden closure of the company, words failed the employees as they sat in stunned silence.

COMPLEX

Upon witnessing the sheer scale of the ancient ruins, words failed the traveler, leaving him to contemplate the vastness of history in quiet awe.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    bad word

    A vulgar word.

  3. 03

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  4. 04

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  5. 05

    breathe a word

    To divulge even part of a secret (usually used with a negative).

  6. 06

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  7. 07

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  8. 08

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

Last updated August 10, 2026