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# deferred success

noun phrase (deferred success)

«deferred success» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, humorous, UK) failure; a fail at an exam or test.

### In the lessons

Became famous as a joke after it was suggested teachers say it instead of «fail»; used ironically today. UK.

### Examples

- He didn't fail his driving test — it was a deferred success.
- Chat: «Maths test = deferred success.»
- The newspaper mocked the idea of «deferred success».
- My cake was not a flop, it was a deferred success.
- The team's season was a deferred success, to put it kindly.
- «Deferred success? You mean I failed?»

### Note

It means «fail». Almost always used as a joke about over-soft language.