fall
verb
\ ˈfȯl
\
\
fell\ ˈfel
\;
fallen\ ˈfȯ-lən
\;
falling
\;
fallen\ ˈfȯ-lən
\;
falling
Definition of fall
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a
: to descend freely by the force of gravity
An apple fell from the tree.
b
: to hang freely
her hair falls over her shoulders
c
: to drop oneself to a lower position
fell to his knees
d
: to come or go as if by falling
darkness falls early in the winter
2
: to become born
—usually used of lambs
3a
: to become lower in degree or level
the temperature fell 10°
b
: to drop in pitch or volume
their voices fell to a whisper
c
: issue sense 1a
wisdom that fell from his lips
d
: to become lowered
her eyes fell
4a
: to leave an erect position suddenly and involuntarily
slipped and fell on the ice
c
: to drop down wounded or dead
especially
: to die in battle
Many men fell on the battlefield.
d
: to suffer military capture
after a long siege the city fell
e
: to lose office
the party fell from power
f
: to suffer ruin, defeat, or failure
the deal fell through
5
: to commit an immoral act
but man willfully misused his God-given freedom and fell into sin— John Hick
especially
: to lose one's chastity
6a
: to move or extend in a downward direction
the land falls away to the east
c
: to decline in quality, activity, or quantity
production fell off
d
: to lose weight
—used with off or away The cattle have fallen off badly in the drought.
e
: to assume a look of shame, disappointment, or dejection
his face fell
f
: to decline in financial value or price
stocks fell sharply
7a
: to occur at a certain time
her birthday falls on a Monday this year
b
: to come by chance
a job that fell into his hands
c
: to come or pass by lot, assignment, or inheritance : devolve
it fell to him to break the news
d
: to have a certain or proper position, place, or station
the accent falls on the second syllable
8
: to come within the limits, scope, or jurisdiction of something
this word falls into the class of verbs
9
: to pass suddenly and passively into a state of body or mind or a new state or condition
fall asleep fall in love
10
: to set about heartily or actively
fell to work
fall all over oneself
or fall over oneself
or fall over backward
fall apart
fall behind
fall between two stools
fall flat
fall for
fall from grace
fall home
fall into line
fall on
or fall upon
fall on one's face
fall on one's sword
fall short
: to display great or excessive eagerness
Fans were falling all over themselves trying to get the basketball star's autograph.
1
: disintegrate
The pie was falling apart as I served it.
2
: to succumb to mental or emotional stress : break down
She began to fall apart when her son was imprisoned.
1
: to lag behind
The slower hikers fell behind the group.
2
: to be in arrears
He fell behind in his car payments.
: to fail because of inability to choose between or reconcile two alternative or conflicting courses of action
: to produce no response or result
the joke fell flat
1
: to fall in love with
He fell for her the moment he saw her.
2
: to become a victim of
fell for the trick
: to lose acceptance or good reputation
The governor fell from grace when he was accused of tax fraud.
: to curve inward
—used of the timbers or upper parts of a ship's side
: to comply with a certain course of action
The company fell into line with the new regulations.
: to meet with
fell on hard times
: to fail utterly
the movie fell on its face at the box office
: to sacrifice one's pride or position
The coach fell on his sword apologizing for the team's poor season.
1
: to be deficient
The expedition's supplies began to fall short.
2
: to fail to attain something (such as a goal or target)
The results fell short of expectations.