fall through/between the cracks

phrase

variants or less commonly slip through/between the cracks
: to fail to be noticed, assisted, or included with others
Parents are concerned that children who have trouble in school will fall through the cracks in the school system.
The program is meant to help workers who may have slipped through the cracks because of their age.

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Cite this Entry

“Fall through/between the cracks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fall%20through%2Fbetween%20the%20cracks. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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