fall down
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To lose an upright position and come down to the ground or a lower level: To drop or descend suddenly, typically by accident, from a standing, vertical, or elevated position.
- To collapse or fail: To be unsuccessful or inadequate; to not meet expectations or standards.
Examples of Usage
- Verb (Literal):
- Be careful on the ice, or you might fall down.
- The old tree finally fell down during the storm.
- Verb (Figurative):
- His argument falls down when you examine the facts.
- The plan falls down because it doesn't account for the costs.
Advanced Usage
- "to fall down on the job": to fail to perform one's duties adequately.
- The manager warned the team not to fall down on the job during the busy season.
Variants and Related Words
- Fall (v): The base verb meaning to move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control.
- Falling-down (adj, attributive): Describing something in a state of collapse or disrepair.
- They lived in a falling-down shack.
Synonyms
- Collapse: To fall down or give way suddenly.
- Tumble: To fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong.
- Founder: To fail or break down.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Fall over: Very similar in meaning to "fall down," often used when something tips over from an upright position.
- The lamp fell over.
- Fall apart: To break into pieces, either literally or figuratively (e.g., to become emotionally upset).
- The book is so old it's falling apart.
Related Idioms
- Fall down on the job: To fail to perform one's work properly. (See Advanced Usage)
- Fall down like ninepins: To collapse or fail in rapid succession.
- During the flu season, staff members were falling down like ninepins.
Verb
- lose an upright position suddenly
- The vase fell over and the water spilled onto the table
- Her hair fell across her forehead