This means you tried to do something but could not. It also means you missed a chance to do something.
Verb [stem] + そこなうPrimary
This means you tried to do something but could not. It also means you missed a chance to do something.
危うく大事故を起こしそこなった。
I almost caused a major accident.
幸い、最終電車に乗りそこなわなかった。
Fortunately, I didn't miss the last train.
有名な俳優を見そこなって、がっかりした。
I was disappointed that I missed my chance to see the famous actor.
聞きそこなった部分をもう一度説明していただけませんか。
Could you please explain the part I failed to hear one more time?
今このチャンスをつかみそこなうと、二度とないかもしれない。
If I fail to take this chance now, I might never get another one.
This word shows you missed doing something. It is like you had a chance, but it slipped away. Or, it can mean you almost did something bad, but you stopped just in time.
This is different from saying you "could not do" something. That just means you lacked ability. This is also different from saying you "forgot to do" something. That means you had a memory problem. This phrase means you almost did something, but it didn't happen.
Don't use this when you talk with friends. It sounds too formal. You also don't use it for things you chose not to do.
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