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