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

See Examples For:

fall down

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

From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 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

But another policymaker said earlier this month there was a growing risk that the U.K. might be heading for a recession should inflation fall down to target.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2025

“The Chair Company” allows us to see how anyone might fall down the chutes into which Robinson’s Joe Average easily slides.

From Salon ● Oct. 13, 2025

I wind up walking into the banister, and then almost fall down the stairs because I’m craning my neck to see PopPop’s closed bedroom door.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone

Related Words

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