critical failure

[ krit-i-kuhl feyl-yer ]

noun

1. a movie, song, or the like that is received very unfavorably by professional critics:

   The director’s new film is a modest rebound from the commercial and critical failure of the previous one.

2. a malfunction of a piece of equipment, program, etc., that halts or severely impairs its operation:

   We need an overhaul of security protocols to avoid another critical failure of the system.

   Engineers analyzed the root causes of these critical failures of the machinery so as to address them with improved design.

3. critical miss, critical fail. (in role-playing games) a move that harms the player who made it or does not inflict the intended damage on an opponent, usually due to a particularly low roll of the die or dice:

   Rolling a one is a critical failure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of critical failure¹

First recorded in 1950–55 critical failure fordef 1; 1965–70 critical failure fordef 2; 2000–05 critical failure fordef 3

Example Sentences

He criticised the previous government for a "critical failure" in locating the correct paperwork.

From BBC

During its investigation, Panorama also learned of a potentially critical failure in the way that the internet use of some sex offenders is monitored while they are on probation.

From BBC

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been grounded in Switzerland after his plane had a "critical failure" due to an oxygen leak, officials said.

From BBC

In a further embarrassment, the Boeing plane intended to transport US Secretary of State Antony Blinken from Davos to Washington was barred from take-off on Wednesday, after suffering what was described to reporters as "a critical failure related to an oxygen leak".

From BBC

As reported by the BBC and numerous other sources, the mission experienced a critical failure in the propulsion systems which will prevent the Peregrine lunar lander from touching down on the lunar surface.

From Salon