verb
/ˈfɑːl/ falls; fell /ˈfɛl/; fallen /ˈfɑːlən/; falling
[no obj]
to come or go down quickly from a high place or position
to come or go down suddenly from a standing position
to let yourself come or go down to a lower position
to come down at a particular place after moving through the air
to slope downward - usually + away
to hang down
to become lower
to become less
to lose value :to suffer a decline in prices
to become less loud
a of a glance or the eyes :to become lowered
b of the face :to begin to look ashamed or disappointed
of night or darkness :to arrive or begin
to be wounded or killed in battle
to be captured or defeated
to experience ruin or failure
to happen at a specified time
b - used when something (such as a responsibililty) comes or passes to someone in a way that does not involve choice
to have a specified proper place
to belong in a particular category or range
a - used when someone's body or mind passes from one condition or state to another
b - used when something passes to a different and usually a less active or less desirable state or condition
to start doing something in a very active and energetic way - + to
(as) easy as falling off a log
fall afoul of
see afoul of
fall (all) over yourself
to be very eager or too eager
fall apart
[phrasal verb]
to break into parts in usually a sudden and unexpected way
Something that is falling apart is in very bad condition.
to become unable to live in a normal way because you are experiencing a lot of confusion or emotional pain
fall away
[phrasal verb]
to become gradually less :to disappear gradually
fall back
[phrasal verb]
to move back away from something dangerous or threatening :retreat
fall back on (something) also fall back upon (something) :to use (something) for help or protection when you are in a bad situation
fall behind
[phrasal verb]
to fail to move or go forward as quickly as others
to fail to do something as quickly as planned or required - often + with
fall down on the job
to do a job badly
fall flat
to produce no response or result
fall for
[phrasal verb]
fall for (someone) :to feel a strong attraction for (someone) :to fall in love with (someone)
fall for (something) :to be fooled by (something, such as a trick)
fall foul of
fall from grace
fall in
[phrasal verb]
to break apart and fall down in an inward direction
to take your place in a military formation
fall in/into line
to start to do what you are told or required to do
fall in love, fall out of love
fall into
[phrasal verb]
to be caught in (a trap)
to begin to do or experience (something) or to be affected by (something) without wanting or trying to
fall into place
to fit together :to make sense
fall into step
fall into the hands of
to come to be held or possessed by (someone)
fall into the wrong hands
to come to be held or possessed by the wrong person or group
fall into your lap
fall in with
[phrasal verb]
fall in with (someone) :to begin to spend time with (someone)
fall in with (something) :to accept and act in agreement with (something)
fall off
[phrasal verb]
to stop being attached to something
fall on/upon
[phrasal verb]
fall on/upon (something)
to begin to experience (something) :to meet with (an experience)
to notice (something) especially without wanting or trying to
fall on/upon (someone) :to attack (someone) suddenly
fall on deaf ears
fall on your feet
fall out
[phrasal verb]
of a tooth or hair :to stop being attached to the body
to have an argument
to leave your place in a military formation
fall over backward
fall prey to
fall short
to fail to be as good or successful as expected or hoped for
to fail to reach a goal
fall through
[phrasal verb]
to fail or stop in a sudden or final way
fall through/between the cracks
fall through the net
fall to pieces
fall under
[phrasal verb]
fall under (something) :to be influenced or affected by (something)
fall victim to
let the chips fall where they may
noun
plural falls
[count] :the act of falling: such as
the act of coming or going down from a high position or from a standing position
the act of becoming lower
US :the season between summer and winter :the season when leaves fall from trees :autumn [count]
[count] :a decrease in the size, amount, degree, activity, or value of something
[singular] :loss of power or greatness
[singular] :the surrender or capture of a place that is being attacked
[singular] :loss of innocence or goodness
d the Fall :the event in the Bible when Adam and Eve are forced to leave the Garden of Eden because they have sinned against God
[count] :an area on a river or stream where water runs steeply downward - usually plural
be riding for a fall
fall from grace
US