fall
HighNeutral; used across all registers from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
To move downward from a higher to a lower level, typically rapidly and without control.
1. To decrease in amount, level, or value. 2. To become lower in status, power, or reputation. 3. To be defeated or overthrown. 4. To occur at a particular time or place. 5. To enter a particular state or condition (e.g., fall asleep, fall ill).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word 'fall' often implies an unintentional or uncontrolled descent. It can be literal (physical movement) or metaphorical (decline in status, value, etc.). As a noun, it primarily refers to the season (Autumn) in American English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'autumn' is the standard term for the season; 'fall' is understood but rare and considered literary or American. In American English, 'fall' is the primary term for the season.
Connotations
In British English, using 'fall' for the season can sound quaint or poetic. In all varieties, the verb 'fall' carries potential connotations of accident, failure, or loss of control.
Frequency
The verb 'fall' is equally frequent in all major varieties. The seasonal noun 'fall' is high-frequency in AmE, very low-frequency in BrE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP_V (intransitive)NP_V_ADJ (become)NP_V_PP (e.g., fall into, fall on)NP_V_NP (only in archaic/poetic use, e.g., 'fall a prey')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fall on deaf ears”
- “fall by the wayside”
- “fall head over heels”
- “fall from grace”
- “pride comes before a fall”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Profits may fall in the third quarter. Market shares fell sharply after the scandal.
Academic
The Roman Empire began to fall in the 5th century. Student numbers have fallen consistently.
Everyday
Be careful you don't fall on the ice. I fell asleep during the film.
Technical
The pressure will fall as the system equilibrates. The aircraft began to fall at a rate of 500 feet per minute.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- He took a nasty fall from his bicycle. (physical)
- The fall of the Berlin Wall was historic. (metaphorical)
- I'll visit in the autumn. (seasonal - uses 'autumn')
American English
- She had a fall and needed stitches. (physical)
- The fall of the empire was swift. (metaphorical)
- We go apple picking every fall. (seasonal)
verb
British English
- He tripped and fell into the river.
- Temperatures are forecast to fall below zero tonight.
- The government fell after a vote of no confidence.
American English
- She fell while hiking and sprained her ankle.
- Stock prices fell dramatically after the announcement.
- My birthday falls on a Tuesday this year.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The apple fell from the tree.
- Be careful! Don't fall!
- I often fall asleep on the sofa.
- House prices have started to fall.
- She fell in love with the city immediately.
- Silence fell over the crowd.
- The plan fell apart due to lack of funding.
- Responsibility for the project fell to the new manager.
- His excuses fell on deaf ears.
- The coalition government is likely to fall following the scandal.
- Her voice fell to a whisper as she revealed the secret.
- Investor confidence fell precipitously after the report was published.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine leaves FALLing from a tree in the FALL (Autumn). Both involve a downward movement.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY IS UP / IMMORALITY IS DOWN (e.g., 'fall from grace'), FAILURE IS DOWN (e.g., 'his plans fell through'), UNCONSCIOUSNESS IS DOWN (e.g., 'fall asleep'), CONTROL IS UP / LACK OF CONTROL IS DOWN (e.g., 'fall into chaos').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'fall' to translate 'ложиться' (to lie down) as in 'I lay down on the bed.' This is 'lie down', not 'fall down'. 'Fall' implies loss of control.
- Do not confuse 'fall' (season) with 'осень'. In BrE, 'autumn' is used, not 'fall'.
- The phrase 'fall in love' is a set expression; do not translate word-for-word from Russian structures.
Common Mistakes
- *I fell down the stairs and broke my leg. (Correct: I fell down the stairs... / I fell on the stairs... 'Down' is often redundant.)
- Incorrect tense: *I have fallen in love with her last year. (Correct: I fell in love with her last year.)
- *The book fell from me. (Correct: The book fell from my hands / fell off my lap.)
Practice
Quiz
Which use of 'fall' is most common in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is irregular. The principal parts are: fall - fell - fallen.
'Fall' is intransitive (the subject moves down). 'Drop' can be transitive (I dropped the glass) or intransitive. 'Fell' (verb) is transitive and means 'to cause to fall' (to fell a tree).
It is understood but very rarely used in contemporary British English. 'Autumn' is the standard and expected term.
It has two main meanings: 1) to be tricked or deceived by something ('I fell for his story'), and 2) to fall in love with someone ('He fell for her the moment they met').