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

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

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

Villarreal: But you also need things in them so they don’t fall down easily.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 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

“It is simple to fall down, but the going up requires much giving.”

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

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