There are several ways to express the context of "mettre en échec" in English, but there's not a set phrase, which is why the one-for-one substitution doesn't quite work.
Some examples:
I tried helping him find a new job by sending out his CV for him, but all my efforts have been frustrated because he doesn't call the recruiters back when they contact him.
I tried helping him find a new job by lining up interviews for him, but he always manages to screw up/botch the interview. [colloquial, informal]
I tried helping them look for an affordable, new apartment, but they always complicate/sabotage things with unreasonable demands like a 24 hr. concierge, an ocean view, or needing five bedrooms.
I tried to help them decide where to go on their next vacation by suggesting my favorite places, but they shot down every single one of them as being too expensive, or too far, or not pet friendly. I'm convinced that they don't really want to go anywhere.
Since it was my last evening in town, I wanted to do everything -- see all the sights, go to the top of the tallest building and take in the view, go to the hottest club in town -- but he was a total buzzkill and just wanted to go home so he could sleep and be well rested for his meeting. [colloquial, informal]