fallen
lying on the ground after falling
On the ground because it came down or was pushed down from a higher place.
[fallen] [object]
- A fallen tree blocked the road after the storm.
- She carefully stepped over the fallen branches on the path.
- Rescuers reached the fallen climber at the base of the cliff.
- The gallery showed a photo of a fallen statue covered in dust.
- A fallen tree is across the road.
- We walked through the fallen leaves in the park.
- The boy lay fallen on the ground after he slipped.
having lost power or respect
No longer powerful, successful, or respected like before, often because of a big mistake or failure.
[fallen] [leader/hero/idol/star]
- The documentary tells the story of a fallen dictator living in exile.
- Many fans still support their fallen hero despite the scandal.
- The article explored how a fallen idol tried to rebuild her career.
- He became a symbol of the fallen elite after losing his fortune and influence.
- The movie is about a fallen hero.
- The newspaper wrote about a fallen leader.
- The singer was once very famous but is now a fallen star.
killed in war or duty
Dead because of war or dangerous work, for example as a soldier, police officer, or firefighter.
[fallen] [soldier/comrade/officer/firefighter]
- A memorial honors all the fallen soldiers of the conflict.
- The ceremony paid tribute to fallen firefighters who died saving others.
- Families of fallen officers were invited to the event.
- He laid flowers at a monument dedicated to fallen comrades.
- They built a wall to remember fallen soldiers.
- The city had a service for fallen police officers.
- We gave thanks for the work of fallen firefighters.
people killed in war
People who died in war or in service, usually soldiers, spoken about as one group.
the fallen [take plural verb]
- Every year the city holds a ceremony for the fallen.
- Monuments to the fallen stand in many town squares.
- We observed a minute of silence to honor the fallen.
- Poems were read in memory of the fallen from both sides.
- They built a statue for the fallen.
- People put flowers at the wall of the fallen.
- We were quiet for one minute to remember the fallen.
morally corrupt or sinful
Seen as bad or wrong in a moral or religious way, often used about all people or the world.
[fallen] [world/humanity/angel/nature]
- The novel portrays a dark, fallen world in need of redemption.
- In Christian theology, humanity is often described as fallen.
- The preacher spoke about hope in a fallen society.
- Some theologians argue that even nature itself is fallen.
- The book talks about a fallen world and a good God.
- In church, they said all people are fallen and need help.
- He believes we live in a fallen society.
sexually disgraced (old use)
An old, often negative way to describe a woman who had sex outside marriage or became a sex worker, seen as morally bad by society.
[fallen] woman
- The film follows the life of a so-called fallen woman in Victorian London.
- In many nineteenth‑century novels, a single mother was labeled a fallen woman.
- Critics point out how the term "fallen woman" reflects harsh social rules about female sexuality.
- The painting shows a fallen woman being turned away by her family.
- The old book uses the words "fallen woman" for a young mother.
- Today many people think the term "fallen woman" is unfair.
- In the story, a fallen woman loses her home and friends.
decreased from earlier level
Lower than before in number, value, or position because it went down.
[fallen] [prices/sales/currency/arches]
- The graph shows the company's fallen sales over the last year.
- Tourists are taking advantage of the country's fallen currency.
- Special insoles can help support fallen arches.
- Analysts say the fallen share price is unlikely to recover soon.
- The chart shows fallen sales this month.
- Because of the news, the company's fallen stock price worried investors.
- He has fallen arches and needs special shoes.
past participle of "fall"
The past participle form of "fall", used after "have" or "had" to say that something went down, became less, or lost.
[have/has/had] fallen [somewhere/in amount]
- Several trees have fallen across the highway during the storm.
- Temperatures have fallen sharply overnight.
- By the time help arrived, the child had fallen and hurt his knee.
- Unemployment has fallen slightly this year.
- The glass has fallen off the table.
- Prices have fallen since last month.
- She had fallen before the doctor came.
fall by the wayside
1stop or fail before the end
To not continue or succeed, often because it is too hard or other things seem more important.
- Several smaller projects fell by the wayside during the merger.
- Many good intentions fall by the wayside after a few weeks.
fall by the wayside
1fail or get abandoned
stop because of failure or neglect
- A lot of New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside by February.
- Without enough funding, the proposal quickly fell by the wayside.
- Several students fell by the wayside when the course became more demanding.
fall on hard times
1enter a time of hardship
To start having serious money or life problems.
- After he lost his job, the family fell on hard times.
- The once‑rich company has fallen on hard times.
fall through
1be planned but not happen
To not happen, after it was planned.
- Our holiday plans fell through at the last minute.
- The deal has fallen through because the bank refused the loan.
fallen angel
1angel that rebelled against God
An angel that has turned against God and left heaven; often used in stories or religion.
- In the story, a fallen angel walks the earth among humans.
- The painting shows a fallen angel with broken wings.
the fallen
1people killed in war or service
People who died in war or in dangerous service, usually soldiers, spoken of as one group.
- A national day of remembrance is held for the fallen.
- They planted trees in honor of the fallen.
fall flat
1Fail to have intended effect
To fail to have the effect you wanted, especially to be funny or impressive.
- His joke fell flat and no one laughed.
- His attempt at a joke fell flat and no one laughed.
- The campaign fell flat despite heavy promotion.
- The advertising campaign fell flat with younger audiences.
fall from grace
1Lose respect or status suddenly
To lose people's respect because you did something wrong or failed at something important.
- The politician fell from grace after the scandal.
- The politician fell from grace after the corruption scandal.
- Once a star athlete, he fell from grace due to doping charges.
- The article described the singer's dramatic fall from grace.
fall in love
1Begin to feel romantic affection
To start to feel strong romantic liking for someone.
- They met at university and quickly fell in love.
- They had only met twice, but he had already fallen in love with her.
- She never expected to fall in love again after her divorce.
- Many people fall in love with the city when they visit for the first time.
fall on deaf ears
1be completely ignored
To be ignored by people, even though they hear it.
- Their warnings about the virus fell on deaf ears.
- Her complaints have fallen on deaf ears at head office.
fall on deaf ears
2Be ignored after being heard
When advice or requests are ignored even though people hear them.
- Her warnings fell on deaf ears.
- His request for help fell on deaf ears.
fall apart
1Break into pieces or fail completely
To break into pieces or stop working well; also to become very upset emotionally.
- The chair fell apart when I sat on it.
- The old book is falling apart at the spine.
- The old book was so worn that it fell apart in my hands.
- She fell apart after hearing the bad news.
- After her divorce, she started to fall apart emotionally.
- After years of stress, their marriage finally fell apart.
fall asleep
1start to sleep
To start sleeping.
- I usually fall asleep within minutes of going to bed.
- I fell asleep during the movie.
- He fell asleep on the bus and missed his stop.
- She fell asleep on the bus ride home.
fall asleep
2begin sleeping
To start sleeping.
- I must have fallen asleep in front of the TV.
- The baby finally fell asleep after an hour of crying.
fall behind
1Not keep up with others or a plan
To move slower than others or not finish work on time compared to others.
- If you miss classes, you'll fall behind in your studies.
- He fell behind in his studies after being ill.
- She fell behind in her studies after being sick.
- He fell behind on his rent payments.
- The company fell behind its competitors.
- The company has fallen behind its competitors in technology.