English failing to pass (6)
I believe the answer is:
elapse
'pass' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'english failing' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'failing' becomes 'lapse' (I've seen this before).
'e'+'lapse'='ELAPSE'
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for elapse that I've seen before include "Go past" , "'Pass by, as time (6)'" , "Pass or expire - please" , "Go by - pass away" , "(Of time) go by" .)