fall out of step

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall out of step" is an idiom that is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is no longer doing something in the same way as everyone else. For example, "When the company transitioned to a new workflow, Bob fell out of step and had to be retrained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Meanwhile, cells that fire at slightly different rates are not reinforced and fall out of step.

The New York Times - Science

As we age, these brain waves fall out of step, and working memory gets worse.

MIT Technology Review

Or the charity may be a membership organisation, with risks that the members and management team fall out of step and conflict ensues.

The Guardian

When the star pulsates, all parts of the main body move in synchronism, but the outer observable strata fall out of step or lag behind the pulsation of the inner regions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two great peoples and countries, although now locked in a "strategic alliance", may occasionally fall out of step with one another, as India and the US have – for example, over global climate negotiations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those who fall out of step find themselves shunted aside or trampled underfoot, sacrificed to the triumph of an idea that many exalt as noble but no one can define.It happened in Iran when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini steered a broad uprising against the shah into a grimly Islamist cul-de-sac.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They had also fallen out of step.

The New Yorker

Psychoanalysis, however, was falling out of step with the times.

The New Yorker

Last week, the real Europe fell out of step with him.

The New Yorker

Last week, however, the real Europe fell out of step with Trump.

The New Yorker

While it concentrated on trucks, Ford fell out of step with larger market trends.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall out of step" when you want to convey that someone or something is no longer aligned or in agreement with others, or that they are not progressing at the same rate.

Common error

Avoid interpreting "fall out of step" literally, as in physically tripping. It's an idiom that describes a divergence from an expected norm or agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall out of step" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it's used to describe a divergence from an established norm or agreement. Examples show its use in diverse contexts, from brain synchrony to political alignment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fall out of step" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted idiom that describes a deviation from an established norm, agreement, or pace. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. It is commonly used in news and media, as well as in encyclopedic and academic writing. When writing, remember that this phrase does not refer to physical tripping but to a figurative misalignment. Alternatives like "lose synchronization" and "become misaligned" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get out of sync

This option, similar to the original phrase, suggests a break in rhythm or harmony.

lose synchronization

This alternative highlights the loss of coordination or timing.

become misaligned

This phrase emphasizes a lack of alignment or agreement.

deviate from the standard

This emphasizes the departure from an expected level of quality or behavior.

diverge from the norm

This alternative focuses on deviation from typical behavior or standards.

stray from the path

This metaphorical phrase indicates a departure from an expected course or direction.

drift apart

This option describes a gradual separation or disagreement.

become incompatible

This phrase highlights a lack of compatibility or harmony.

lose touch

This alternative suggests a loss of connection or understanding.

go astray

This metaphorical phrase indicates a departure from what is correct or desirable.

FAQs

How can I use "fall out of step" in a sentence?

You can use "fall out of step" to describe someone or something that deviates from an established standard or common practice. For example, "The company began to "fall out of step" with industry trends."

What's the difference between "fall out of step" and "fall behind"?

"Fall out of step" implies a lack of coordination or agreement, while "fall behind" suggests a failure to keep pace or meet expectations.

What are some synonyms for "fall out of step"?

Alternatives to "fall out of step" include "lose synchronization", "become misaligned", and "get out of sync".

Is it correct to use "fell out of step" or "fallen out of step"?

Yes, "fell out of step" and "fallen out of step" are the past tense and past participle forms, respectively, of "fall out of step" and are grammatically correct.