fall by the wayside

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall by the wayside" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to fall away from something, usually in an effort to reach a goal. Example sentence: Despite their best efforts, progress on the project eventually began to fall by the wayside.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Schooling will probably fall by the wayside.

The Economist

Human rights also fall by the wayside.

The Washington Post

And emerging opportunities fall by the wayside.

Harvard Business Review

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

Workouts often fall by the wayside in winter.

Harvard University

Concentration will increase, as the losers fall by the wayside.

Harvard Business Review

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall by the wayside" to describe projects, goals, or efforts that start with promise but ultimately fail or are abandoned. It's particularly effective when emphasizing a sense of disappointment or lost potential.

Common error

While acceptable in various settings, avoid relying too heavily on "fall by the wayside" in highly formal or technical documents. Opt for more precise language when describing specific failures or outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "fall by the wayside" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a larger sentence structure to describe the process of failing, diminishing, or being abandoned. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness. Examples in Ludwig show its application across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall by the wayside" is a commonly used idiom that describes something failing to continue or succeed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, appearing in diverse contexts ranging from News & Media to Academia. While suitable for many situations, it's best to avoid overuse in extremely formal settings where more precise language may be required. Consider alternatives such as "fail to persist" or "come to nothing" to add nuance to your writing. Understanding its function and communicative purpose ensures effective and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to persist

Emphasizes the lack of endurance or continuation.

come to nothing

Focuses on the lack of a successful outcome or result.

bite the dust

A more informal idiom suggesting defeat or failure.

go down the drain

Indicates a loss of effort or resources without achieving the desired result.

prove unsuccessful

A straightforward expression highlighting the lack of success.

miss the mark

Focuses on the failure to achieve a specific target or objective.

not make the cut

Suggests being eliminated or rejected from a selection process.

be left behind

Highlights being overtaken or abandoned during progress.

peter out

Implies a gradual decline in effectiveness or enthusiasm, leading to failure.

be abandoned

Focuses on the state of being forsaken or no longer pursued.

FAQs

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

You can use "fall by the wayside" to describe something that fails to continue or succeed. For example, "Many startups "fall by the wayside" due to lack of funding".

What is a more formal alternative to "fall by the wayside"?

More formal alternatives include "fail to persist", "prove unsuccessful", or "come to nothing", depending on the specific context.

Is "fell by the wayside" the past tense of "fall by the wayside"?

Yes, "fell by the wayside" is the correct past tense form. For example, "Many of their initial plans fell by the wayside as the project progressed".

What's the difference between "fall by the wayside" and "be left behind"?

"Fall by the wayside" implies a failure to continue or succeed, while "be left behind" suggests being overtaken or abandoned during progress. The first emphasizes the internal failure, while the second emphasizes external circumstances leading to being excluded.