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

"All those dominoes don't necessarily fall down in that order if Flight into Danger didn't happen."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

I don’t want to have to explain to St. Peter at the Pearly Gates that I died in a fall down the stairs at Dodger Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2026

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

“I’ve been married, now I’m divorced. But, if you fall down on the ice, can you imagine how many times I had to fall down and get up?”

From MarketWatch • Oct. 13, 2025

She let the chain fall down to her chest.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

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