fall down

British  

verb

1. to drop suddenly or collapse

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

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fall down Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

Russell's case was complicated because his fall down the order was precipitated by a cascading series of events.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

That’s when a young person can turn to the internet and fall down rabbit holes.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

The city worried parts of it might fall down, Eoanna Goodwin, a project manager with the local Recreation & Park Department, said at a public hearing in November.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

While employers are legally required to maintain benefit records, especially for pension and employer-sponsored life insurance, they too can fall down on the job.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

Pop’s stunned, looking like he’s going to fall down.

From "Towers Falling" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

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