fall behind
B2Neutral to Informal
Definition
Meaning
To fail to maintain the expected pace or level; to lag or make slower progress than others.
To fail to fulfil obligations, such as payments or work, by the required time. Also used figuratively to describe failing to keep up with developments or changes.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb implying a failure to keep up from a position of being previously level or on schedule. Can be transitive (fall behind schedule) or intransitive (fall behind in class). Often implies a gradual process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Both use 'fall behind with' (payments, work) and 'fall behind in' (a subject, race).
Connotations
Equally common and carries the same negative connotation of deficiency or failure to maintain standards in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in business/educational contexts, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
fall behind (intransitive)fall behind [object] (e.g., 'fall behind the leader')fall behind in/on/with [noun] (e.g., 'fall behind in payments')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fall behind the times”
- “fall by the wayside (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to missing deadlines, project milestones, or payment schedules.
Academic
Describes students failing to keep up with coursework, readings, or the class pace.
Everyday
Used for personal tasks, fitness goals, or social developments.
Technical
Used in logistics (behind schedule), economics (behind on GDP growth), or sports (behind in a race).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- If you miss lectures, you'll quickly fall behind.
- We must not fall behind with the rent.
American English
- The company fell behind on its deliveries.
- I'm falling behind in my physics class.
adjective
British English
- The behind-schedule project caused issues. (Note: 'fall-behind' is not a standard adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She walks fast. Don't fall behind!
- He fell behind in the race.
- I fell behind with my homework last week.
- If you don't study, you will fall behind the other students.
- The construction project has fallen behind schedule due to bad weather.
- The textbook argues that nations which ignore green technology will fall behind economically.
- The incumbent's policy platform is seen as falling behind the zeitgeist.
- Having fallen behind on his alimony payments, he faced legal consequences.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a runner in a race who literally FALLs and therefore ends up BEHIND all the other runners.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A JOURNEY / A RACE (staying in the same place relative to others is 'keeping up'; moving backward relative to others is 'falling behind').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'упасть сзади' (literal physical fall). The correct conceptual translations are 'отставать' or 'задерживаться'. 'Задолжать' is specific for payments.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'fall after' instead of 'fall behind'. Incorrect preposition: 'fall behind *of* the schedule' (correct: 'fall behind schedule' or 'fall behind *on* the schedule').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fall behind' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'fall the schedule behind'.
They are often interchangeable, especially for payments/work. 'With' is slightly more common in UK English for recurring tasks (with the rent). 'On' is slightly more common in US English for specific deadlines (on a project).
Almost never. It inherently describes a failure to meet a standard or pace. The closest to neutral is 'fall a little behind', but it still implies a problem.
There is no direct noun form. You would use related nouns like 'delay', 'arrears', or 'backlog'. The phrase 'a falling-behind' is non-standard.