| 100% | DUD | 3 | Bomb that fails to detonate |
| 75% | DUD | 3 | Bomb that fails to explode |
| 57% | MISFIRE | 7 | Fail to detonate |
| 54% | DUD | 3 | Firecracker that fails to explode |
| 54% | DUD | 3 | Firecracker that fails to crack |
| 53% | DUD | 3 | Something that fails to function well |
| 53% | DUD | 3 | Faulty item that fails to work |
| 53% | HOW | 3 | Question musical that failed to start |
| 52% | HAMELIN | 7 | Town that failed to pay the piper |
| 52% | IFNOT | 5 | "Should that fail to be the case ..." |
| 50% | AIRSHOT | 7 | Golf swing that fails to contact with the ball |
| 49% | HAILMARY | 8 | Bomb that’s unlikely to hit its target |
| 48% | ALSORAN | 7 | Horse that fails to finish first, second, or third in a race |
| 47% | POTATO | 6 | Crop that failed, leading to famine in Ireland |
| 47% | ALSORAN | 7 | Horse that fails to finish first, second, or third in a race (Hyph.) |
| 45% | FOOLSERRAND | 11 | Task that's sure to fail |
| 45% | EASYA | 5 | Course that's hard to fail |
| 45% | EASYAS | 6 | Classes that are hard to fail |
| 44% | LEVEES | 6 | Banks that are too important to fail? |
| 43% | WIRES | 5 | Things that are cut to defuse time bombs |
| 43% | EASYA | 5 | Class that's hard to fail: 2 wds. |
| 43% | FUSE | 4 | Circuit part that’s set up to fail? |
| 43% | EASYA | 5 | Class that's practically impossible to fail: 2 wds. |
| 42% | DOA | 3 | Like an idea that’s doomed to fail, in slang |
| 41% | LIMPET | 6 | __ mine, attachable bomb that clings to ship sides |
| 40% | NOTHINGPERSONAL | 15 | Words that may fail to soften an insult |
| 39% | DOESNT | 6 | Fails to |
| 39% | DOESNOT | 7 | Fails to |
| 39% | DIDNT | 5 | Failed to |
| 39% | DIDNOT | 6 | Failed to |