fall behind
Definition
- Verb (intransitive):
- To fail to keep up with others in movement, pace, or progress; to lag.
- To fail to maintain a required schedule, standard, or level of achievement.
Usage
The verb "fall behind" describes the act of moving or progressing more slowly than a group or a required pace. It is often used to describe a person, group, or process that is not advancing at the expected or necessary rate. It can refer to physical movement, academic progress, work deadlines, or payments.
Examples
- In movement:
- During the long hike, the youngest child began to fall behind the rest of the group.
- In progress or development:
- If you don't study regularly, you will fall behind in your classes.
- The company is falling behind its competitors in technological innovation.
- In payments or schedules:
- He fell behind on his rent after losing his job.
Advanced Usage
- "to fall behind with something": This prepositional phrase is commonly used, especially with payments or tasks.
- She fell behind with her mortgage payments.
- I've fallen behind with the laundry this week.
Variants and Related Words
- Lag (verb): To fail to keep pace; to fall behind. ()
- Trail (verb): To be behind in a race, competition, or pursuit. ()
Synonyms
- Lag behind
- Drop back
- Trail
- Lose ground
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Fall back: To move back; to retreat. This can be similar in the context of movement but implies a more deliberate or forced withdrawal. ()
Related Idioms
- Get left behind: To be surpassed and remain in a less advanced state. ()
Verb
-
hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
-
retreat
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