downfall
gb/dˈaʊnfˌɔl/ us/dˈaʊnfˌɔl/
B2
Inglês
~ 9700
Acepções
0 acepção
Substantivo
B2
event
1
loss of power or success
The time when a person or group loses power, position, or success and fails completely, often because of their own mistakes or bad behavior.
Padrão de uso:
the downfall of [someone/something]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes use *downfall* as a verb (e.g., "The scandal downfalled him"). *Downfall* is only a noun; use verbs like "ruin," "destroy," or phrases like "lead to his downfall." Learners also confuse *downfall* with a normal physical fall; *downfall* is about losing power, status, or success, not simply falling to the ground.
Sinônimos
ruin (Stresses complete destruction of a person's life or career, sometimes with a stronger emotional tone.)
|
demise (More formal; often used for the end of organizations, systems, or careers, not only political power.)
|
collapse (Emphasizes the sudden failure or breaking down of an organization or system.)
Antônimos
rise (Focuses on gaining power or status, the opposite of losing it.)
|
success (General positive result and achievement, the opposite of failure or downfall.)
Colocações
the downfall of the government
|political downfall
|his eventual downfall
|cause her downfall
|lead to their downfall
|bring about his downfall
Temas
politics
|business
|society
|history
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- The corruption scandal led to the prime minister's downfall.
- Poor management was the company's downfall after years of rapid growth.
- Historians still debate the causes of the empire's downfall.
- His refusal to listen to advice brought about his downfall in the election.
- The sudden economic crisis marked the downfall of several major banks.
Exemplos para estudantes
- The story is about the king's downfall.
- Greed can be the downfall of a business.
- The war caused the downfall of the old government.
- His downfall came when people learned about the lies.
- The film shows the rise and downfall of a famous singer.
Substantivo
B2
entity
2
main cause of failure
A thing, habit, or part of a person's character that makes them fail or lose control.
Padrão de uso:
[something] is [someone]'s downfall
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes think *downfall* here means any small bad habit. In this sense it is usually a strong weakness or habit that actually causes failure or serious trouble, not just a minor flaw.
Sinônimos
weakness (Broad; can be any area where someone lacks control or strength, not always leading to complete failure.)
|
undoing (Very close in meaning; often used in similar contexts to show the specific cause of a failure.)
|
Achilles' heel (Figurative and more literary; emphasizes one critical weakness that can destroy an otherwise strong person.)
Antônimos
strength (A positive quality that helps someone succeed, the opposite of a trait that leads to failure.)
|
asset (A useful or valuable quality or thing that supports success, not failure.)
Colocações
be his downfall
|proved her downfall
|chocolate is my downfall
|pride was his downfall
|gambling was his downfall
|money was their downfall
Temas
emotions
|habits
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Chocolate is my downfall; I cannot stop eating it at night.
- His pride was his downfall, because he never accepted help from anyone.
- Social media proved her downfall when old posts resurfaced during the campaign.
- Gambling became his downfall and destroyed his family life.
- Her kindness, while admirable, was also her downfall in a very competitive industry.
Exemplos para estudantes
- Sweet food is my downfall when I try to eat healthily.
- His love of risk was his downfall.
- For many students, phones are their downfall during exams.
- Lying was his downfall in the relationship.
- Her shyness was her downfall at work.
Substantivo
C1
event
3
heavy fall of rain or snow
A short time when a lot of rain or snow falls suddenly.
Padrão de uso:
a heavy downfall of [rain/snow]
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse *downfall* with the more common word *downpour*. In modern everyday English, *downpour* is usually preferred, especially for rain. *Downfall* in this sense can sound a bit formal, old-fashioned, or regional.
Sinônimos
downpour (More common modern word for heavy rain; does not refer to snow.)
|
shower (Usually less intense or shorter than a heavy downfall.)
Antônimos
dry spell (A period with little or no rain, the opposite of a heavy fall of rain.)
Colocações
a heavy downfall
|a sudden downfall
|downfall of rain
|downfall of snow
|a brief downfall
|a winter downfall
Temas
weather
|nature
Exemplos
- A sudden downfall of rain flooded the narrow streets.
- The match was stopped because of a heavy downfall of snow.
- After a brief downfall, the sky cleared and the sun came out again.
Exemplos para estudantes
- We waited inside during the heavy downfall.
- A downfall of rain started in the afternoon.
- The road was white after a strong downfall of snow.
- The children ran outside as soon as the downfall ended.
- The city had a big downfall last night.
Gramática
Expressões
be someone's downfall
1/bˈi sˈʌmwˌʌnz dˈaʊnfˌɔl/
idiom
be the cause of failure
To be the main reason why a person fails or loses success or control.
Exemplos
- Gambling was his downfall, and it cost him his job and family.
- Her need to be perfect may be her downfall in such a fast-moving company.
- If he keeps lying, it will be his downfall one day.
bring about someone's downfall
1/bɹˈɪŋ əbˈaʊt sˈʌmwˌʌnz dˈaʊnfˌɔl/
fixed phrase
bring about someone's failure
To make a person lose power or success, usually through actions or events.
Exemplos
- The leaked emails brought about the senator's downfall.
- Internal conflict brought about the downfall of the organization.
lead to someone's downfall
1/lˈid tə sˈʌmwˌʌnz dˈaʊnfˌɔl/
fixed phrase
cause loss of power or success
To cause a person to lose power, status, or success and to fail completely.
Exemplos
- The corruption charges finally led to his downfall.
- Her poor decisions in the crisis led to her downfall as CEO.
the downfall of [someone/something]
1/ðə dˈaʊnfˌɔl əv sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
failure of a specific person or thing
The time when a particular person, group, or system loses power or success and fails.
Exemplos
- The book tells the story of the downfall of the royal family.
- Many people think this war marked the downfall of the empire.