For something to "fail" in the Bible means there is not enough understanding of truth and desire for good for someone to attain a higher spiritual state -- and possibly not enough to overcome false thoughts and the desire for evil at all. "Abate" has similar meaning but in an opposite sense, usually referring to the lessening of evil and falsity at the end of a state of temptation.

In Genesis 8:3, Deuteronomy 34:7, Judges 8:3, and Leviticus 27:18, the abating of the flood waters signifies the cessation of temptations. (Arcana Coelestia 843, 849)

(References: Arcana Coelestia 857, 5969, 6122, 8395)

843. Verse 2 And the fountains of the deep and the floodgates of heaven were stopped up, and the rain from heaven was restrained means that temptation came to an end. 'The fountains of the deep' are evils present in the will, 'the floodgates of heaven' falsities present in the understanding, 'rain' temptation itself in general.