Mechanical Failures

noun A miscalculation or error that has an unexpected and undesirable result

verb To have an unexpected and undesirable result, especially contrary to one's intentions

• The company's attempt to manipulate public opinion ended up backfiring on them.
• I thought skipping breakfast would help me lose weight, but it backfired and I ended up eating more at lunch.
• I tried to prank my sister, but it totally backfired and she got me back even worse.
• His plan to impress his crush with a grand gesture backfired when she found it too overwhelming.

verb to suddenly stop working or functioning, especially of a machine or engine

• The engine conked out after running for hours without proper maintenance.
• My phone conked out right when I needed to make an important call.
• I was so tired that I just conked out on the couch as soon as I got home.
• After working non-stop for days, his creativity seemed to conk out.

verb to press, squeeze, or wedge tightly into a specified space

• The printer jammed and we had to call IT for assistance.
• I couldn't print my report because the printer got jammed.
• My phone got jammed with notifications from the group chat.
• Her mind felt jammed with thoughts of the upcoming presentation.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The document accidentally slipped out of the envelope during transit.
• I saw the note slip out of your pocket when you sat down.
• I can't believe she let that secret slip out of her mouth.
• Don't let your dreams slip out of your grasp, keep working towards them.