Fall by the wayside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Fall by the wayside" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is neglected, abandoned, or fails to continue along a path or process. Example: "Many good ideas can fall by the wayside if they are not properly supported and nurtured."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Schooling will probably fall by the wayside.

The Economist

But even for him, some must fall by the wayside.

The New York Times

Of course, many Wrimos fall by the wayside every year.

Independent

Some players will flourish, some fall by the wayside.

Independent

If Shakespeare can fall by the wayside, so can anyone.

The Guardian - Books

"Any boost to employment will fall by the wayside.

The Guardian - Business

One by one, the cozy ideas fall by the wayside.

The New York Times

We shouldn't just let them fall by the wayside".

The Guardian - Opinion

Jobs, friends and lovers fall by the wayside.

The New York Times

Mr. Hefta has seen small farmers fall by the wayside.

The New York Times

There are some that sort of fall by the wayside.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall by the wayside" to describe projects, goals, or individuals that start with promise but ultimately fail to achieve their objectives due to various obstacles or lack of sustained effort. It implies a sense of attrition or abandonment along the way.

Common error

Avoid overanalyzing the individual words; the phrase's meaning is distinct from its literal components. Using it to describe a physical fall is incorrect; it's about metaphorical failure or abandonment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall by the wayside" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig confirms this expression is used to describe a process, project, or even people that start with good intentions or prospects but fail to complete or succeed due to different reasons. It typically acts as a predicate in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fall by the wayside" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe something that fails to continue or is abandoned, often due to challenges or lack of sustained effort. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various reputable sources, including news, business, and general communication, with a neutral tone. The examples from Ludwig highlight that it is not suitable for describing a literal fall and should only be used to talk about things that cannot be sustained or were stopped mid-process. While alternatives like "fail to succeed" or "be left behind" exist, "fall by the wayside" provides a specific nuance of attrition or abandonment that might be lost in simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to continue

Directly addresses the cessation of progress or existence.

be left behind

Highlights the aspect of being overtaken or forgotten, rather than outright failure.

fail to succeed

Focuses on the lack of success, omitting the element of being left behind.

give up halfway

Focuses on abandoning an effort before completion.

not make the cut

Implies a selection process where something is deemed insufficient.

bite the dust

An informal way to say to fail or be defeated. Less neutral than "fall by the wayside".

peter out

Suggests a gradual decline or loss of effectiveness.

prove unsuccessful

Emphasizes the lack of a positive outcome, but lacks the sense of attrition.

come to naught

Indicates that efforts or plans result in nothing, implying futility.

go to waste

Describes something that is not utilized effectively, implying a loss of potential.

FAQs

How can I use "fall by the wayside" in a sentence?

You can say, "Many promising initiatives "fall by the wayside" due to lack of funding" or "Despite initial enthusiasm, many New Year's resolutions "fall by the wayside"".

What does it mean when something "falls by the wayside"?

It means something is neglected, abandoned, or fails to continue, often due to challenges or lack of support.

Which is correct, "fall by the wayside" or "fell by the wayside"?

"Fall by the wayside" is the infinitive form, while "fell by the wayside" is the past tense. Use "fell" when describing something that happened in the past, e.g., "Many businesses "fell by the wayside" during the recession".

What are some alternatives to "fall by the wayside"?

Alternatives include "fail to succeed", "be left behind", or "peter out" depending on the specific context.