fall
Drop or descend suddenly
To go down from a higher place without control.
to fall [somewhere]
- She slipped on the ice and fell hard.
- The leaves fall from the trees in autumn.
- He fell into the pool by accident.
- The glass fell off the table.
- Snowflakes fell gently to the ground.
- The boy fell off his bike.
- I fell on the wet floor.
- Leaves fall in autumn.
- She fell into the water.
- The ball fell under the chair.
Autumn season
The time of year between summer and winter, also called autumn.
- We met in the fall of 2010.
- Fall is my favorite time of year.
- The trees look beautiful in fall.
- School starts in early fall.
- Temperatures drop in the fall.
- Fall is after summer.
- I like fall because it is cool.
- Leaves turn red in fall.
- School begins in fall.
- Fall is also called autumn.
Lose balance and collapse
To go down onto the ground because you cannot stay up.
to fall to [the ground/floor]
- He tripped on the rug and fell to the floor.
- The old man fell when he missed a step.
- She felt dizzy and fell over.
- The child fell down while running.
- He fell flat on his face.
- I fell on the ground.
- The baby fell when he tried to walk.
- She fell down in the street.
- He fell over the chair.
- My friend fell at school.
Decrease in amount or level
To get smaller in number, amount, price, or level.
to fall to [a number/level]
- Stock prices fell by 10% yesterday.
- Temperatures will fall overnight.
- Sales have fallen steadily this year.
- The water level fell after the dry season.
- Interest rates are expected to fall.
- The price fell last week.
- Temperatures fell at night.
- Sales fell in June.
- The number of students fell this year.
- The water level fell after summer.
Be defeated or collapse (figurative)
To lose power or be destroyed in war or competition.
- The city fell after a long siege.
- His government fell amid scandal.
- Several kingdoms fell during that period.
- The castle finally fell to the invaders.
- The city fell after the war.
- The team fell in the final game.
- His empire fell many years ago.
- The castle fell to the enemy.
- Base: fall
- Plural: falls
- Base: fall
- 3rd Person Singular: falls
- Present Participle: falling
- Past: fell
- Past Participle: fallen
- Irregular past: fell Verb
- Irregular past participle: fallen Verb
fall for [someone/something]
1Be attracted or deceived by someone/something
To start liking someone romantically; or to believe something that is not true.
- He really fell for her when they met at college.
- I can't believe you fell for that old trick.
fall out with [someone]
1Argue and stop being friendly with someone
To argue with someone and stop being friends with them.
- They fell out with each other over money.
- I've fallen out with my best friend.
fall short (of) [something]
1Fail to reach a goal or standard
To not be as good as expected or not reach a goal.
- Our sales this year fell short of expectations.
- His performance fell short of what was needed.
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 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.