falling-out
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
A serious argument or quarrel that leads to a lasting breakdown in a personal relationship.
A formal or informal cessation of friendly relations between individuals, groups, or nations, often characterized by acrimony and a lack of communication. Its scope is narrower than the broader 'conflict'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term inherently suggests a relationship that was previously cordial or close. It describes the *result* or the *event* of the quarrel, not the ongoing state of estrangement (which is 'estranged'). It is primarily a countable noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The spelling with a hyphen is standard in both varieties, though the closed compound 'falling out' is also occasionally seen, especially in American English.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same connotations of personal discord following closeness. Slightly more common in spoken, narrative contexts.
Frequency
Equally understood and used in both varieties. It is not a high-frequency word but is a well-established lexical item.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have/experience/suffer + a falling-out + with + NPa falling-out + between + NP and NPlead to/cause + a falling-outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “mend fences (after a falling-out)”
- “bury the hatchet (after a falling-out)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, but possible in discussing partnership dissolutions or boardroom conflicts: 'The falling-out between the co-founders led to a messy buyout.'
Academic
Very rare in formal academic prose. Might appear in historical or biographical texts discussing personal relationships between figures.
Everyday
Most common context. Used to describe serious arguments between friends, family members, or neighbours.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They fell out over who should pay the bill.
- I hear you've fallen out with your sister again.
American English
- They fell out over who should pay the check.
- The band members fell out after the tour.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable; no adverbial form.)
American English
- (Not applicable; no adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable; 'falling-out' is a noun. The phrasal verb participle 'falling-out' is not used attributively.)
American English
- (Not applicable; 'falling-out' is a noun. The phrasal verb participle 'falling-out' is not used attributively.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- They had a falling-out and didn't speak for a week.
- I don't want a falling-out with my best friend.
- Their political disagreement led to a major falling-out that ended their collaboration.
- After their bitter falling-out, the two former partners avoided each other at all industry events.
- The falling-out between the two nations, once close allies, had significant geopolitical repercussions.
- Despite attempts at mediation, the falling-out proved irreparable, resulting in a permanent schism within the organisation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two friends FALLING OUT of a tree together because they were arguing on a branch. The physical fall represents their relationship's sudden drop from closeness to discord.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIP IS A PHYSICAL STRUCTURE (that can break). HARMONY IS A HIGH POSITION / DISCORD IS A LOW POSITION (falling from grace/accord).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'выпадание'. The closest equivalent is 'ссора', 'размолвка', or 'разлад'. 'Конфликт' is broader. The phrase 'у них была размолвка' captures the nuance well.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb ('They fell-out yesterday' is non-standard; use 'They fell out yesterday'). Using it to describe a minor, temporary argument. Incorrectly hyphenating as 'fallingout'.
- Confusing it with 'fallout', which refers to radioactive particles or the secondary consequences of an event.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'falling-out'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily a hyphenated noun (e.g., 'They had a falling-out'). The related verb is the phrasal verb 'to fall out' (no hyphen).
An 'argument' can be minor or major, temporary or lasting. A 'falling-out' specifically implies a serious quarrel that damages or ends a previously close relationship.
Yes, but it retains its informal, personal tone. It would be used for relationships between individuals in business (e.g., partners, co-founders) rather than for abstract corporate disputes.
It is pronounced as two words with a hyphen. The stress is typically on 'fall-' and 'out': /ˌfɔː.lɪŋ ˈaʊt/ (UK) or /ˌfɑː.lɪŋ ˈaʊt/ (US).
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