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]

Example Sentences

"When I took the project on, the hall was just a few years from completely falling down and becoming a ruin," he said.

From BBC

Liverpool, top of the Premier League with maximum points from three games, had only one hitch on deadline day, when the Guehi move fell down because the Eagles could not find a suitable replacement.

From BBC

"As we were running others got injured, because when they fell down, they couldn't get back up. People were running over them. I thank God that we came out without any injuries."

From BBC

A man has been airlifted to hospital after he was rescued when he fell down a hillside in the Peak District.

From BBC

"Without change, the UK will continue to fall down international league tables for research, investment, and patient access to medicines," he added.

From BBC

Related Words

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