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# it didn't work out

phrase (idiom, fixed sentence; work out, worked out)

«it didn't work out» 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

1. (euphemism, everyday) a relationship, marriage, job or plan ended or failed, said without details or blame.
2. (literal) something did not succeed.

### In the lessons

Used to be kind and private, to close a painful topic quickly. Very common when people ask about an ex, a job or a move. Register: everyday, polite; all regions.

### Examples

- We dated for a year, but it didn't work out.
- I tried the new job, but it didn't work out.
- Gossip: «What happened with Liam?» «It didn't work out.»
- Chat: we were gonna start a band but it didn't work out
- They moved to Spain, but it didn't work out and they came back.
- My cake recipe didn't work out — it sank in the middle.
- Maths: The sum didn't work out, so I checked my working.

### Note

It hides the reason, so asking «why?» may seem nosy. In maths «work out» means calculate, so «it didn't work out» can be literal. Plain words: it ended or failed.