Definition

1. Verb:
   • To retreat or move backwards: To withdraw from a position, especially in a military context or when facing pressure.
   • To have recourse to; to resort to: To use or turn to something as an alternative, often when the primary option fails.
   • To lapse back into a previous state or behavior: To return to an old, often negative, habit or condition.
   • To lag behind: To fail to keep pace with others in movement or progress.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • As the reinforcements arrived, the enemy forces began to fall back. (This demonstrates retreating from a position.)
  • If the main generator fails, the system will fall back on battery power. (This shows resorting to an alternative.)
  • After months of progress, he feared he might fall back into his old habits. (This illustrates lapsing into previous behavior.)
  • During the long hike, the youngest child started to fall back from the group. (This indicates lagging behind.)

Advanced Usage

• "fall back on/upon [something/someone]": To use something for support or help, especially when in difficulty.
  • She had her savings to fall back on after losing her job.
• In a strategic context: Describing a planned withdrawal to a more defensible position.
  • The general ordered the troops to fall back to the river.

Variants and Related Words

• Fallback (noun/adjective): A reserve or alternative plan.
  • We need a fallback option in case it rains.
• Retreat (verb): A close synonym for the "move backwards" meaning.

Synonyms

• Withdraw: To move back from a position.
• Retreat: To move back, especially from danger or a confrontation.
• Resort to: To turn to and adopt a course of action.
• Regress: To return to a former or less developed state.
• Lag: To fail to maintain speed or pace.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fall back on/upon: As detailed in 'Advanced Usage'.
• Fall behind: To fail to keep up with a schedule or with others (closely related to one meaning of 'fall back').
  • He started to fall behind on his rent payments.

Related Idioms

• Have something to fall back on: To possess a reserve resource, skill, or qualification for security.
  • It's wise to get a degree so you have something to fall back on.

Verb

1. go back to bad behavior
   • Those who recidivate are often minor criminals
2. have recourse to
   • The government resorted to rationing meat
3. retreat
4. move back and away from
   • The enemy fell back
5. hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
6. fall backwards and down