ausbleiben

Ausbleiben is a German noun (das Ausbleiben) and the associated verb ausbleiben. The term denotes the absence or non-occurrence of something that was expected, planned, or required, as well as the failure of someone to appear or participate. It can refer to events, results, or actions that do not take place within an anticipated time frame or context.

Etymologically, ausbleiben combines aus- (out, away) with bleiben (to remain). The meaning centers on the idea that a cited event or phenomenon does not come about or does not occur as anticipated. As a noun, it is declined like other neuter nouns: das Ausbleiben, des Ausbleibens, dem Ausbleiben, das Ausbleiben (plural rarely used in ordinary speech).

Common contexts include everyday life, law, science, and media. In daily language, one might speak of das Ausbleiben eines Termins (the absence of attendance at an appointment) or das Ausbleiben einer Lieferung (the non-arrival of a delivery). In scientific or statistical writing, das Ausbleiben eines Effekts describes an effect that does not materialize. In journalism, the phrase may refer to the Ausbleiben einer Prognose or Ausbleiben von Ergebnissen, indicating that an anticipated outcome did not occur.

Usage notes: Ausbleiben is typically neutral and descriptive, though it can carry evaluative weight when the non-occurrence has practical consequences. English equivalents include absence, non-occurrence, non-attendance, or failure to appear, depending on the context. The term is used both for specific instances and more general phenomena where an expected event fails to materialize.