fall from grace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall from grace" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person who has become disgraced, or lost their status or high opinion. For example, "The politician had a sudden fall from grace after his scandalous remarks were revealed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

FALL FROM GRACE, by Richard North Patterson.

The New York Times

So why the sudden fall from grace?

The New Yorker

His fall from grace is complete.

BBC

Was BlackBerry's fall from grace inevitable?

The New York Times

The fall was his fall from grace".

The New Yorker

Bill Cosby's fall from grace continues.

The Washington Post

Then Jack began to fall from grace.

The New York Times - Arts

His fall from grace was horrendous.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But his fall from grace was dramatic.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Comdisco's Fall From Grace.

Forbes

1. Tiger Woods Fall From Gracee.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall from grace" to describe a significant decline in someone's status or reputation, especially after a period of success or high regard. Ensure the context clearly indicates the previous high standing and the reason for the decline.

Common error

Avoid using "fall from grace" in trivial situations. The phrase carries a weight of seriousness and is best reserved for situations involving genuine loss of status, reputation, or moral standing. Save it for describing situations of genuine importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall from grace" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the loss of status, respect, or favor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall from grace" is a well-established expression used to describe a decline in someone's status, reputation, or moral standing, especially after a period of success or high regard. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and its frequent use in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase conveys a sense of seriousness and is best suited for situations where there has been a genuine loss of esteem. While synonyms such as "loss of favor" or "disgrace" exist, "fall from grace" often carries a more nuanced implication of a prior elevated position. When writing, it's important to reserve this phrase for significant situations and avoid overuse in trivial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descent from grace

Uses 'descent' to imply a downward trajectory from a position of high standing.

disgrace

A more direct and often stronger term for losing respect and honor.

downfall

Suggests a complete and often dramatic loss of power or fortune.

loss of favor

Focuses on the loss of approval or support, often from someone in a position of power.

loss of face

Focuses on the loss of dignity and respect in the eyes of others.

loss of prestige

Emphasizes the reduction in reputation and esteem.

loss of status

Highlights the decline in social or professional standing.

reversal of fortune

Indicates a change from good luck to bad luck, or from success to failure.

being discredited

Highlights the act of losing credibility or being proven untrustworthy.

decline in popularity

Specifically refers to a decrease in public approval or support.

FAQs

How can I use "fall from grace" in a sentence?

You can use "fall from grace" to describe a decline in someone's status or reputation. For instance, "The CEO's "fall from grace" was swift after the scandal became public."

What is an alternative to the phrase "fall from grace"?

Alternatives include "loss of favor", "disgrace", or "downfall", depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone experiences a "fall from grace"?

It signifies a loss of status, respect, or moral standing, typically after a period of success or high regard. It implies a significant and often public decline.

Is "fall from grace" formal or informal?

While the phrase is widely used in news and media, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it is generally more appropriate in serious or significant situations rather than trivial ones.