Phrasal Verbs with “Fall”

Here’s the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “fall.”

“Fall about” Meaning and Examples

To laugh uncontrollably, to move a lot due to the laughing. 

Example

He is a great comedian. People always fall about when he is on stage.

He is a great comedian. People always laugh uncontrollably when he is on stage. 

“Fall apart” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To break, to disintegrate because something is too old.

Example

I bought this chair 15 years ago. No wonder it’s falling apart.

I bought this chair 15 years ago. No wonder it’s breaking. 

Meaning 2

To become extremely emotional, to lose control.

Example

She fell apart when her application was denied. It was really hard for her.

She became extremely emotional when her application was denied. It was really hard for her.

Meaning 3

To disintegrate, to separate, applying to institutions and alliances, relationships.

Example

The organization was about to fall apart when the members came up with a solution.

The organization was about to disintegrate when the members came up with a solution. 

“Fall away” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

Similar to fall apart, it refers to breaking or disintegrating.

Example

The paint of my car is falling away from the exterior. I will need to take it to the workshop.

The paint of my car is disintegrating from the exterior. I will need to take it to the workshop.

Meaning 2

To decrease, to become smaller.

Example

The sale of vacation packages has been falling away since the pandemic began. 

The sale of vacation packages has been decreasing since the pandemic began. 

“Fall behind” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To end behind someone else, to make less progress.

Example

The race was close until Anna got tired and fell behind Marcia. She could not keep the pace.

The race was close until Anna got tired and ended behind Marcia. She could not keep the pace. 

Cindy is very smart, but she is falling behind with her grades. I don’t understand why.

Cindy is very smart, but she is making less progress with her grades. I don’t understand why.

Meaning 2

To fail to do or pay something on time.

Example

Unfortunately, we started falling behind with the rent when the pandemic began. 

Unfortunately, we started failing to pay on time when the pandemic began. 

“Fall down” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

Same as fall, to go down, to move to the ground.

Example

My son fell down while running, but he didn’t hurt himself.

My son fell while running, but he didn’t hurt himself. 

Meaning 2

To fail because it is weak (used with arguments, theories, etc.)

Example

His theory fell down due to a lack of scientific support.

His theory failed due to a lack of scientific support.

Meaning 3

Normally used in a progressive tense, when something is falling down, it has deteriorated or in bad conditions.

Example

Look at this table. It is falling down! We need a new one.

Look at this table. It is in bad condition! We need a new one. 

“Fall for” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

Used as to “fall for someone,” it refers to becoming in love, to start loving someone.

Example

It was at the beach where I fell for him. He sang an amazing song, and I felt very attracted.

It was at the beach where I became in love with him. He sang an amazing song, and I felt very attracted. 

Meaning 2

Used as “to fall for something,” it refers to believing some joke, lie, or trick.

Example

I can believe I fell for such an obvious lie. I’m so gullible. 

I can believe I believed such an obvious lie. I’m so gullible. 

“Fall in” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To collapse.

Example

The roof fell in due to the winds of the storm. We will need to pay for the repairs.

The roof collapsed due to the winds of the storm. We will need to pay for the repairs. 

Meaning 2

To include oneself in a line or formation, to follow certain order or formation. 

Example

The soldiers need to fall in right now! The platoon is ready to move. 

The soldiers need to include themselves in the formation right now! The platoon is ready to move. 

“Fall into” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To start doing something. To begin doing something by chance.

Example

I don’t really know how he fell into basketball, but he is great at it.

I don’t really know how he started playing basketball, but he is great at it.

She fell into teaching by chance, but now she loves it.

She began teaching by chance, but now she loves it. 

Meaning 2

Used as to “fall into someone’s hands,” it refers to getting something, to receive something by chance, to acquire something without being intended, to be caught. 

Example

This information cannot fall into his hands. He cannot know about it.

He cannot get this information. He cannot know about it. 

The northern provinces fell into enemy hands after we lost the battle.

The northern provinces were caught by our enemies after we lost the battle.

“Fall off” Meaning and Examples

To decrease.

Example

The amount of tourists always falls off during winter. The water is too cold. 

The amount of tourists always decreases during the winter. The water is too cold. 

“Fall on” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To be responsible for something, also used as “fall upon.”

Example

I need you to care for your grandma while I go to the store. Her care falls on you.

I need you to care for your grandma while I go to the store. You are responsible for her care. 

Meaning 2

To experience something, also used as “fall upon.” 

Example

Tourism fell on hard times due to the pandemic. Nobody is traveling at the moment.

Tourism experienced hard times due to the pandemic. Nobody is traveling at the moment.

“Fall out” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To stop being friends, to have an argument, to have a disagreement.

Example

Anna fell out with Jenny because of her comments. Now they don’t speak to each other.

Anna stopped being friends with Jenny because of her comments. Now they don’t speak to each other. 

Meaning 2

To lose hair or a tooth.

Example

My hair is falling out because I’m too stressed. I need to relax.

I’m losing my hair because I’m too stressed. I need to relax.

“Fall through” Meaning and Examples

To not occur, to fail to happen, normally referring to plans, deals, etc. 

Example

The deal fell through due to the crazy demands of the buyer. The deal failed to happen due to the crazy demands of the buyer.

“Fall” phrasal verbs

There are many “fall” phrasal verbs. Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments!