Shaving around mid-day is unsuccessful (7)
I believe the answer is:
failing
'unsuccessful' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for failing that I've seen before include "Defect" , "Character weakness" , "conking out" , "becoming frail" , "Flunking" .)