在中文中,可以使用 "他们没能做到" 来表示 "they didn't manage to" 或者 "they were unable to" 的意思。

这个短语的来源是源于英语中的动词 "manage",它的意思是 "to succeed in doing something, especially after trying hard"。例如:

I managed to finish the project on time. (我设法按时完成了项目。)
They didn't manage to catch the last train. (他们没能赶上最后一班火车。)

"Unable" 也是一个常用的动词,它的意思是 "not having the abipty, power, or knowledge to do something"。例如:

She was unable to pft the heavy box. (她没有能力举起那个重盒子。)
He was unable to solve the math problem. (他没有能力解决那道数学题。)

因此,"他们没能做到" 就可以用来表示 "they didn't manage to" 或 "they were unable to" 的意思。