Main Entry: ¹fall

Pronunciation: \ˈfȯl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): fell \ˈfel\; fall·en \ˈfȯ-lən\; fall·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English feallan; akin to Old High German fallan to fall and perhaps to Lithuanian pulti

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to descend freely by the force of gravity b : to hang freely <her hair falls over her shoulders> c : to drop oneself to a lower position <fell to his knees> d : to come or go as if by falling <darkness falls early in the winter>
2 : to become born —usually used of lambs
3 a : to become lower in degree or level <the temperature fell 10°> b : to drop in pitch or volume <their voices fell to a whisper> c : issue 1a, b <wisdom that fell from his lips> d : to become lowered <her eyes fell>
4 a : to leave an erect position suddenly and involuntarily <slipped and fell on the ice> b : to enter as if unawares : stumble, stray <fell into error> c : to drop down wounded or dead; especially : to die in battle d : to suffer military capture <after a long siege the city fell> e : to lose office <the party fell from power> f : to suffer ruin, defeat, or failure <the deal fell through>
5 : to commit an immoral act; especially : to lose one's chastity
6 a : to move or extend in a downward direction <the land falls away to the east> b : subside, abate <the wind is falling> c : to decline in quality, activity, or quantity <production fell off> d : to lose weight —used with off or away e : to assume a look of shame, disappointment, or dejection <his face fell> f : to decline in financial value or price <stocks fell sharply>
7 a : to occur at a certain time <her birthday falls on a Monday this year> b : to come by chance <a job that fell into his hands> c : to come or pass by lot, assignment, or inheritance : devolve <it fell to him to break the news> d : to have a certain or proper position, place, or station <the accent falls on the second syllable>
8 : to come within the limits, scope, or jurisdiction of something <this word falls into the class of verbs>
9 : to pass suddenly and passively into a state of body or mind or a new state or condition <fall asleep> <fall in love>
10 : to set about heartily or actively <fell to work>
11 : strike, impinge <music falling on the ear>transitive verb : fell 1

— fall all over oneself or fall over oneself or fall over backward : to display great or excessive eagerness

— fall apart 1 : disintegrate
2 : to succumb to mental or emotional stress : break down

— fall behind 1 : to lag behind
2 : to be in arrears

— fall between two stools : to fail because of inability to choose between or reconcile two alternative or conflicting courses of action

— fall flat : to produce no response or result <the joke fell flat>

— fall for 1 : to fall in love with
2 : to become a victim of <fell for the trick>

— fall from grace : backslide 1

— fall home : to curve inward —used of the timbers or upper parts of a ship's side

— fall into line : to comply with a certain course of action

— fall on or fall upon : to meet with <fell on hard times>

— fall on one's face : to fail utterly <the movie fell on its face at the box office>

— fall on one's sword : to sacrifice one's pride or position

— fall short 1 : to be deficient
2 : to fail to attain something (as a goal or target)