fall down

verb

1. to drop suddenly or collapse

2. informal,  (often foll by on) to prove unsuccessful; fail

Idioms and Phrases

Fail to meet expectations; lag in performance. For example, It was disappointing to see him fall down on the job. This expression transfers a literal drop to a figurative one. [Second half of 1800s]

Related Words

• bumble 
• careen 
• fall 
• falter 
• flounder 
• hesitate 
• limp 
• lumber 
• lurch 
• shuffle 
• swing 
• waver 
• wobble