Actioning fail means: When the execution of a plan goes badly wrong despite everyone's best intentions - the moment actioning produces the opposite of what was intended. An actioning fail isn't about failing to act;. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.