fall into
phrasal verb
fell into; fallen into; falling into; falls into
1
: to go down quickly into (something)
She fell into the swimming pool.
2
: to pass to (a less active or less desirable state or condition)
This word has fallen into disuse.
His theories have now fallen into disrepute/disfavor.
The machinery has fallen into disrepair.
3
: to belong in (a particular category or range)
His creative output falls into three distinct categories.
4
: to be caught in (a trap)
We fell into a trap.
5
: to begin to do or experience (something) or to be affected by (something) without wanting or trying to
He fell deeply into debt.
She fell into her career almost accidentally.
She fell into the habit of going out for ice cream every night.
Examples of fall into in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
My vacations fall into three distinct categories.
—
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2025
Leaders facing overlapping personal and professional crises often fall into the trap of over-executing—trying to carry more, move faster, or mask the strain.
—Kathryn Landis, Harvard Business Review, 13 Nov. 2025
Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025
In Desai's novel that was also chosen as a September PEOPLE Pick, two young people fall into each other's orbit after a long rift, caused by their respective grandparents tried to matchmake them.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall into
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2025
Leaders facing overlapping personal and professional crises often fall into the trap of over-executing—trying to carry more, move faster, or mask the strain.
—Kathryn Landis, Harvard Business Review, 13 Nov. 2025
Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025
In Desai's novel that was also chosen as a September PEOPLE Pick, two young people fall into each other's orbit after a long rift, caused by their respective grandparents tried to matchmake them.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall into
Cite this Entry
“Fall into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fall%20into. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share