fall off the map

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall off the map" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to disappear or become completely unknown or forgotten about. Example: After the company's scandal last year, their reputation fell off the map and they struggled to regain trust from their customers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He said he did not think about topics like why he and peers like Mr. Chappelle and Mr. Williams seemed to fall off the map at the height of their success.

The New York Times

"Some of these incubators are going to fall off the map just as fast as they got on the map," said Chris Selland, a vice president at the Yankee Group, a consulting firm.

The New York Times

"This seems to be like a very large region of the world that people are willing to let fall off the map," said Thomas G. Wenski, auxiliary bishop of Miami, one of those who made the journey.

The New York Times

"We are going to try our darnedest not to fall off the map until the next legislative cycle comes along, so that hopefully this can be turned around," Ms. Senich said.

The New York Times

But otherwise, downloads should soon fall off the map, and few will miss them.

Forbes

Never let them fall off the map simply because you didn't keep them updated.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Then I fell off the map".

The New Yorker

Lately, most have fallen off the map.

The New York Times

The Eagles have fallen off the map in the A.C.C. in two short years.

The New York Times

"If the media attacks had worked, it would have fallen off the map".

The New York Times

Florent Malouda, meanwhile, is in danger of falling off the map altogether.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall off the map" to describe a sudden or gradual decline in visibility, relevance, or importance. This idiomatic expression works well when illustrating that something or someone has become forgotten or has disappeared from common knowledge or active participation in a field.

Common error

Avoid using "fall off the map" for situations that involve temporary absence or minor setbacks. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the disappearance or decline is significant and has lasting implications. For instance, don't use it to describe a product that has a slight dip in sales, but rather one that has been completely discontinued and forgotten by consumers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall off the map" functions as an idiomatic expression. It's often used to describe something or someone that has become irrelevant, disappeared, or been forgotten. This is supported by examples found in Ludwig and the positive assessment from Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "fall off the map" describes a state of decline, disappearance, or irrelevance. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used. It is most frequently found in "News & Media" contexts and serves to emphasize a significant drop in visibility or importance. When writing, use "fall off the map" to effectively illustrate that something or someone has become forgotten or has disappeared from common knowledge, but consider more direct alternatives like "become irrelevant" or "fade into obscurity" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be forgotten

Highlights the act of being no longer remembered.

fade into obscurity

Emphasizes a gradual decline into being unknown or forgotten.

become irrelevant

Focuses on the loss of importance or pertinence.

lose prominence

Highlights the reduction in fame or importance.

cease to matter

Highlights the loss of significance or importance.

disappear from view

Stresses the physical or metaphorical vanishing from sight.

vanish without a trace

Emphasizes a complete and mysterious disappearance.

become obsolete

Focuses on the state of being outdated or no longer in use.

become a thing of the past

Emphasizes that something belongs to a previous era and is no longer current.

go out of fashion

Indicates a decline in popularity or trendiness.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "falls off the map"?

When something "falls off the map", it means it disappears, becomes irrelevant, or is forgotten. It signifies a decline in visibility, importance, or existence.

How can I use "fall off the map" in a sentence?

You can use "fall off the map" to describe anything that has declined significantly or disappeared. For example, "After the scandal, the company's reputation "fell off the map"."

What are some alternatives to "fall off the map"?

Alternatives include "become irrelevant", "fade into obscurity", or "lose prominence". These phrases convey a similar sense of decline or disappearance.

Is it appropriate to use "fall off the map" in formal writing?

While "fall off the map" is an idiom, it's acceptable in many contexts, including news and media. However, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using a more direct alternative such as "become irrelevant" or "decline in importance".