影视英语口语:希望落空

“希望落空”在英语口语里能怎么说？

蹩脚口语：fail to reach the goal
地道口语：fall short of the goal

素材来源：另类童话色彩《灵指神探》
剧情简介：
Chuck、Ned和Emerson三人驱车前往悬赏捉拿凶手的旅行社，开门却发觉已经来迟了，旅行社负责人同样被一个塑料袋闷死。Ned不得不弄活她，然后问个究竟......

Narrator: Boutique Travel Travel Boutique manager Deedee Duffield hoped the $50,000 reward would catch a killer before a killer caught her.  The reward fell short of achieving its desired goal.