fall from grace

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

Verb phrase: - To lose a position of high respect, favor, or moral standing, often due to a mistake or wrongdoing. It implies a decline from a previously good or esteemed state. - To revert to bad behavior after a period of good behavior.

Usage and Examples

The phrase "fall from grace" describes a loss of status, approval, or virtue.

  • The politician fell from grace after the corruption scandal was exposed.
  • The celebrity fell from grace with the public following the controversial remarks.
  • After months of good behavior, the children fell from grace when they asked for several helpings of dessert.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
  • The phrase often carries a moral or judgmental tone, suggesting the person or group deserved their high status and then deserved to lose it.
  • It can be used in both serious contexts (corporate, political, religious) and lighter, everyday contexts (family, social groups).
  • It frequently appears in passive constructions (e.g., "He has fallen from grace") or with a prepositional phrase starting with "with" or "in the eyes of" to specify who has lost favor.
Variants and Related Words
  • Grace (n): Simple elegance or refinement of movement; courteous goodwill; (in Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor of God.
  • Disgrace (n/v): Loss of reputation or respect; to bring shame or discredit on. ("Disgrace" is a stronger, more active synonym for the state or action of "falling from grace".)
Synonyms
  • Lose favor
  • Come down in the world
  • Be discredited
  • Be shamed
Antonyms
  • Rise to prominence
  • Be elevated
  • Be in favor
  • Be in someone's good graces
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • Out of favor: No longer liked or approved of by someone in authority.
    • The minister is now out of favor with the king.
  • In someone's bad books: To be disapproved of by someone.
    • I'm in my teacher's bad books for forgetting my homework again.
Verb
  1. revert back to bad behavior after a period of good behavior
    • The children fell from grace when they asked for several helpings of dessert