fall badly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall badly" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in the context of sporting events, such as a skier falling off a jump, or a figure skater missing a combination jump. For example, you could say "He attempted the difficult triple axel, but fell badly and stumbled off the ice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A couple of scenes (but just a couple) fall badly flat, like failed soufflés, as though the novelist had briefly run out of energy or courage.

The New York Times - Books

The BJP was widely and confidently expected to do well in the previous two national polls, in 2004 and 2009, only to fall badly short both times, when votes and seats were counted.

The Economist

This can be a very dangerous skill, so make sure there aren't any other people running around distracting you, because you could fall badly and hurt yourself really bad.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Naturally profit has fallen badly as well.

The Guardian

But the dishes that fell short fell badly.

The New York Times

"My opponent fell twice and I fell badly on there [Court No1].

Independent

But China fell badly behind its goal in late 2009 and early last year.

The New York Times

However, at seven, she fell badly on the beach there, breaking her right arm.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

City marshals came and evicted Mr. Lee, who had fallen badly behind in his rent.

The New York Times

Good old-fashioned obsession, on the other hand, has fallen badly out of favor.

The New York Times

Russell concludes that the university fell badly short of its scientific and public obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical activities or sports, use "fall badly" to vividly illustrate the severity of an athlete's misstep or accident.

Common error

Avoid using "fall badly" metaphorically when describing abstract failures. While it can be tempting to apply it broadly, reserve it for situations where a literal fall or a similarly impactful physical event is relevant. For metaphorical failures, consider alternatives like "fail spectacularly" or "decline rapidly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall badly" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "fall" is the verb and "badly" is an adverb modifying the verb to indicate the severity of the fall. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its analysis of various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fall badly" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a severe fall, often resulting in injury or negative consequences. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is relatively rare in occurrence. Its primary function is descriptive, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, including news reports and general narratives. While versatile, "fall badly" is best reserved for situations where the physical nature and severity of the fall are central to the communication. Consider alternatives like ""suffer a serious fall"" or ""fail miserably"" in different contexts to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer a serious fall

Implies a more significant and impactful fall.

incur a bad injury from a fall

Focuses on the injury resulting from the fall.

stumble severely

Suggests a loss of balance leading to a potential fall.

collapse dramatically

Emphasizes the sudden and visually striking nature of the fall.

fail miserably

Shifts the focus from a physical fall to a failure in performance or outcome.

decline sharply

Indicates a rapid decrease or deterioration in a specific area, such as health or performance.

perform poorly

Highlights subpar execution or results in a given task or activity.

come to grief

An idiomatic phrase for ending in a bad state.

end in disaster

Focuses on the catastrophic outcome of a situation or event.

go awry

Highlights a departure from the intended course or plan, leading to unfavorable consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "fall badly" in a sentence?

You can use "fall badly" to describe a severe fall, such as "The gymnast "fell badly" during her dismount and injured her ankle."

What does it mean to "fall badly"?

"Fall badly" means to experience a fall that results in significant injury or negative consequences. It implies a severity beyond a simple stumble or trip.

What are some synonyms for "fall badly"?

Some synonyms for "fall badly" include "suffer a serious fall", "incur a bad injury from a fall", or "stumble severely" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "fall badly" metaphorically?

While primarily used for physical falls, "fall badly" can be metaphorically used to describe a significant failure or decline. However, be mindful of the context and consider if other phrases like "fail miserably" or "decline sharply" might be more appropriate.