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

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We are obsessed with how to postpone the inevitable and, failing that, how to make the most of our lives. —

Venki Ramakrishnan, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2024 Record against the highest team in the standings that both teams have played, and failing that proceeding downward through other common opponents. —

Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024 But failing that, the U.S. military would need to take unilateral action to remove the more sensitive aspects of the program to prevent them from falling into dangerous hands. —

Eric S. Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2020 So deterrence and then failing that, to be able to defend Israel against an attack. —

Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 6 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for failing that