The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word DEBACLE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
E
B
A
C
L
E
More clues leading to the result DEBACLE
- Failure of young socialite star to seal deal finally
- Reverse taxi into printer's sign? Disaster!
- Disaster when large taxi reverses into river
- Conservative perhaps lying over the European disaster
- Girl getting introduced by lecturer during professional disaster
- One coming out with lace undone — it’s a fiasco
- Extremely disconsolate graduate, regularly called a failure
- The Spanish half-heartedly taxied back to find disaster
- Girl joining society left in first-class mess
- Learner-driver and vehicle flipping over in river – disaster!
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Failure/Failure" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case failure/failure = debacle.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DEBACLE mean?
DEBACLE noun- An event or enterprise that ends suddenly and disastrously, often with humiliating consequences.
- A breaking up of a natural dam, usually made of ice, by a river and the ensuing rush of water.