fall into a pit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall into a pit" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that has been dropped, slipped, or thrown into a pit. For example: "The ball rolled off the edge of the cliff and fell into a pit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

If you answer incorrectly, you fall into a pit of snakes.

The Guardian

Yet not all long-term unemployed fall into a pit of despair.

The Guardian - Money

It feels very easy to fall into a pit of despair and woe at the state of climate change.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When he becomes too tired to walk and collapses he will fall into a pit of potato soup.

The New Yorker

When we finally treat them, they come crashing down to recognise the trail of destruction left behind and fall into a pit of severe depression.

The Guardian

Remove the floor from underneath their feet and let them fall into a pit of lava.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

About two hours after the meeting I fell into a pit of despair.

The Guardian

But it have fallen into a pit that it dug itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

A Long Islandwoman died after falling into a pit yesterdayoutside her home at 229 Cuba Hill Road, the SuffolkCounty police said.

The New York Times

In "The Fifth Woman" one man dies falling into a pit of sharpened bamboo stakes; another is thrown into a lake in a sack.

The New York Times - Books

Cooper: There's metal audiences that are pretty dangerous, that if you fell in it would be like falling into a pit of piranhas.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "fall into a pit" figuratively, ensure the context clearly establishes the negative consequences or undesirable nature of the 'pit'. For instance, "fall into a pit of despair" effectively conveys deep sadness and hopelessness.

Common error

Avoid using "fall into a pit" when a simpler, more direct phrase would suffice. Overusing figurative language can dilute the impact of your writing. If you mean 'make a mistake', use that instead of forcing an analogy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall into a pit" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often serving as the predicate of a sentence. It describes an action, either literal (physical falling) or figurative (experiencing a decline). Ludwig examples illustrate this dual usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fall into a pit" is a versatile phrase used to describe both literal and figurative descents into undesirable situations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees frequent use across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Wiki sources. When used figuratively, as in "fall into a pit of despair", ensure the context maintains a clear understanding of the negative implication. Alternatives include "tumble into a hole" or "sink into despair", depending on the intended meaning. While common, avoid overusing the phrase to prevent diluting your writing's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tumble into a hole

This suggests an accidental fall, similar to "fall into a pit", but uses more generic terminology for the location.

fall into a trap

This implies deception or being lured into a dangerous situation rather than accidental mishap.

sink into despair

This alternative shifts the meaning to a figurative sense, focusing on emotional state rather than a physical fall.

plunge into darkness

This portrays a rapid movement to a figurative unpleasant experience, like depression or death, but not necessarily a pit.

succumb to temptation

This denotes yielding to something alluring but ultimately harmful, deviating more from the literal meaning of physical falling.

descend into chaos

This evokes a downward spiral into disorder, further removed from the physical falling imagery.

be ensnared by misfortune

This emphasizes being caught in an unfortunate situation, similar to being trapped, but lacks the physical imagery of a pit.

get into trouble

This is a broader term for encountering difficulties, less specific than "fall into a pit".

find oneself in a predicament

This suggests a difficult or dangerous situation, but doesn't necessarily imply a downward motion or containment.

encounter adversity

This refers to facing hardships or challenges in general, lacking the sudden, entrapping implication of "fall into a pit".

FAQs

How can I use "fall into a pit" in a sentence?

You can use "fall into a pit" literally, like "The hiker accidentally "fell into a pit"", or figuratively, like "She "fell into a pit of despair" after losing her job".

What does it mean to "fall into a pit" metaphorically?

Metaphorically, to "fall into a pit" signifies experiencing a sudden and unfortunate decline, such as "falling into depression" or facing a significant setback.

Are there alternative ways to express the idea of "fall into a pit"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "tumble into a hole", "fall into a trap", or "sink into despair" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "fallen into a pit" grammatically correct?

Yes, "fallen into a pit" is grammatically correct. It is the past participle form of the verb phrase, often used in perfect tenses such as "She has "fallen into a pit" of apathy".