fall down

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate someone literally falling to the ground (e.g. "She stumbled and fell down") or to express a figurative sense of failure (e.g. "He's been struggling to make ends meet, but his efforts fell through and he ended up falling down").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Fall down, fall down.

The New Yorker

Trousers fall down frequently.

Independent

Don't fall down.

The New Yorker

I fall down.

The New York Times

Bridges that don't fall down.

The New Yorker

Did someone's pants fall down?

The New Yorker

Did it fall down?

The New York Times

It won't fall down".

The New Yorker

Why doesn't the moon fall down?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's still fall-down funny.

Wikipedia

He's also a fall-down drunk.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fall down" in a figurative sense, ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning, such as failure or collapse, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "fall down" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or sophisticated term like "collapse", "decline", or "fail" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fall down" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb 'fall' with the particle 'down' to create a meaning different from either word alone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability as a standard expression, as seen in numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

40%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fall down" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe a physical fall or a figurative collapse. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase has applications across a wide array of sources, from news media to wikis. While generally neutral in tone, it can be deemed informal in very formal writing contexts. For those cases, alternatives like ""collapse"", ""decline"", or ""fail"" may prove more suitable. Remember to consider context carefully to ensure clarity of meaning, especially when employing the phrase in a non-literal sense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collapse

A more formal term suggesting a sudden loss of structure or strength.

tumble down

Implies a less controlled descent, often with a rolling motion.

drop

A general term for a downward movement, lacking the implication of loss of balance.

succumb

Indicates yielding to pressure, illness, or temptation.

cave in

Suggests a yielding or collapse under pressure, often literal.

fail

A more general term indicating lack of success or effectiveness.

decline

Suggests a gradual decrease or deterioration.

plummet

Indicates a rapid and steep drop, often in value or quantity.

descend

A neutral term for moving downward, without implying a loss of stability.

go bankrupt

Specifically refers to financial ruin or failure.

FAQs

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

You can use "fall down" to describe a physical fall (e.g., "He tripped and fell down") or a figurative failure (e.g., "The project fell down due to lack of funding").

What's a more formal alternative to "fall down"?

In formal contexts, consider using "collapse", "decline", or "fail" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "fall down" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "fall down" might be too informal for certain academic contexts. A more precise term like "deteriorate" or "devolve" could be more suitable.

What's the difference between "fall down" and "tumble down"?

"Fall down" generally implies a simple loss of balance resulting in a downward movement. "Tumble down" suggests a more chaotic and uncontrolled descent, often involving rolling or repeated impacts.