English Profile

fall · verb I

/fɔːl/Full view

fall (MOVE DOWN)

A2 to move down toward the ground, sometimes by accident

Dictionary examples:

The path's very steep, so be careful you don't fall.

He fell and broke his leg.

I fell down the stairs and injured my back.

He fell to his death climbing the Matterhorn.

By winter, all the leaves had fallen off the trees.

The snow had been falling steadily all day.

Learner example:

You['d] better wear your cheap clothes as paint may fall on you. (Key English Test; A2; Tamil)

fall (BECOME LOWER)

B1 to become lower in size, amount or strength

Dictionary examples:

Demand for new cars has fallen recently.

The quality of his work has fallen during the year.

The temperature could fall below zero tonight.

Average temperatures fell by ten degrees.

The pound has fallen to its lowest-ever level against the dollar.

Stock prices fell sharply this week.

Learner example:

It fell steadily until 1960, and remained [at] 3% until 1987. (International English Language Testing System; ; Chinese)

fall asleep

B1 to start to sleep

Dictionary example:

I fell asleep on the sofa watching TV.

Learner example:

And I need a bookshelf and a lamp of course, because I always read in bed before I fall asleep. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

fall in love

B1 to start to love someone

Dictionary example:

I was 20 when I first fell in love.

Learner example:

I fell in love with David. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Catalan)

fall flat

C1 If an event or joke falls flat, it fails to have the effect that you wanted, such as making people laugh.

Dictionary example:

All the jokes in his speech fell flat.

Learner example:

The cultural visits fell flat [in comparison] to their expectations, although the sightseeing tour of Willstown was, as the students said, "fascinating." (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

darkness/night falls

C2 used to say that it is becoming dark

Dictionary example:

When darkness fell, I began to feel worried.

Learner example:

He greeted the worms and the slugs, and as darkness fell he retired to the shelter he had built for the night. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

fall (BE DEFEATED)

C2 to be defeated and start to be controlled by a different leader

Dictionary example:

The city fell to the enemy.

fall (BECOME WORSE)

C2 to become worse, or start to be in a bad situation or condition

Dictionary examples:

Education standards are continuing to fall.

Empty for 30 years, the building had fallen into ruin.

Learner example:

This impressive, massive 18th-century building which accommodated the Town Hall until recently (5 years ago) has now fallen into disuse. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

fall (HANG DOWN)

C2 to hang down

Dictionary example:

Her long hair fell softly over her shoulders.

Learner example:

She had gorgeous black hair falling down her back, a creamy complexion and a figure models dream of. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

fall on deaf ears

C2 If advice or a request falls on deaf ears, people ignore it.

Dictionary example:

Our pleas for help fell on deaf ears.

Learner example:

His cry for help and for a more meaningful relationship between himself and Mildred invariably fell on deaf ears. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)

fall into place

C2 When events or details that you did not understand before fall into place, they become easy to understand.

Dictionary example:

When Jo told me she had a twin sister, everything fell into place.

fall prey to sth

C2 to be hurt or deceived by something or someone bad

Dictionary example:

He fell prey to a gang of criminals pretending to be city officials.

Learner example:

As young people do not have experience in living independently in society and are not fully aware of social problems such as drugs and violence, they may easily fall prey to adults who would like to exploit them. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

fall short of sth

C2 to not reach a particular level, but only by a small amount

Dictionary example:

Sales for the first half of this year fell just short of the target.

Learner example:

Furthermore, it cannot be denied that public transport falls short of the target set during the planning process. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swiss German)

fall short of sth

C2 to fail to achieve something

Dictionary examples:

His behavior falls short of what we expect.

She just fell short of the grades she needed.

Learner example:

This routine was really wearing me out, but, I didn't want to fall short of my parents' expectations. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

fall apart (BREAK)

B2 to break into pieces

Dictionary example:

My poor old boots are falling apart.

Learner example:

It looks like it [is] going to fall apart any day. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

fall apart (HAVE PROBLEMS)

B2 to start having problems that you cannot deal with

Dictionary examples:

The deal fell apart because of a lack of financing.

His life fell apart when his wife died.

Learner example:

All her dreams and wishes fell apart. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

fall back on sb/sth

C2 to use someone or something when other things have failed, or when there are no other choices

Dictionary example:

We've been saving up the past few years, to have something to fall back on.

Learner example:

Moreover, in an emergency, you can fall back on my neighbors. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

fall down

B1 to fall onto the ground

Dictionary examples:

Our apple tree fell down in the storm.

He stumbled and fell down.

Learner example:

When I got up in the morning, I slip[ped] on a piece of soap and fell down. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

fall for sb

B2 to suddenly have strong romantic feelings about someone

Dictionary example:

She fell for a tall, handsome Frenchman when she was on vacation in Paris.

Learner example:

I saw a handsome boy [and] I fell for him. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

fall out

B2 to argue with someone and stop being friendly with them

Dictionary examples:

She's fallen out with her sister.

They fell out over money.

Learner example:

My husband always blame[s] me and we fall out over my incapacity to cook. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

fall over

B1 If someone or something falls over, they fall to the ground or onto their side.

Dictionary examples:

She tripped and fell over.

The fence fell over in the wind.

Learner example:

I nearly fell over because the corridor was very dark. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

fall through

B2 If a plan or agreement falls through, it fails to happen.

Dictionary example:

Our plans to go on vacation together fell through when Jamie got sick.

Learner example:

All our plans fell through and I hope it will never happen to me again. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

fall · noun

/fɔːl/

fall (TIME OF YEAR)

A2 C or U the season of the year between summer and winter, when leaves fall from the trees

Dictionary examples:

We like to travel in the fall when there are fewer tourists.

Last fall we went to Vermont.

fall colors/leaves

Learner example:

You come here in the fall and I think it's best to spend our time in the city be[cau]se [the] countryside is very cold. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Farsi)

fall (LOWER AMOUNT)

B1 C usually no plural when the size, amount or strength of something gets lower

Dictionary examples:

the recent fall in the price of gas

a fall in the unemployment rate

We could hear the rise and fall of voices in the other room.

Learner example:

There is a fall in job vacancies. (International English Language Testing System; ; Turkish)

fall (MOVEMENT)

B2 C usually no plural when someone or something falls down to the ground, often without intending to or by accident

Dictionary examples:

He had a nasty fall and hurt his back.

The boulder smashed several small trees during its fall.

Learner example:

I was terrified and I heard the noise of a fall just by my side. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

fall (DEFEAT)

C1 C usually no plural when a city, government, leader, etc. loses power or control

Dictionary example:

the fall of the Roman Empire

Learner example:

After the fall of the previous system everything changed. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)