fall out over

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall out over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means to have a disagreement over something. For example, "The two friends fell out over their conflicting opinions on politics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

We very rarely fall out over business matters".

The Guardian

"I certainly don't fall out over it," said Dan Ingram.

The New Yorker

Some Kuwaiti analysts predict that Islamist and liberal MPs will soon fall out over other issues.

The Economist

It's possible that friends will fall out over Grimm's set of missions.

The Guardian - Tech

Be careful, though - you might fall out over who gets the antique four-poster bed.

The Guardian - Travel

Only once did we fall out, over the presenter Emily Maitlis.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

He may very much disagree and we may have another fall-out over this.

The Guardian - Film

This dictum was apparently coined by Condoleezza Rice at the height of the transatlantic fall-out over Iraq.

The Economist

In the sixth he returned to full disclosure, cataloguing the breakdown his wife, Linda, suffered during the fall-out over the first two volumes of My Struggle.

The Guardian - Books

Even Jacques Chirac, his predecessor, tried a Franco-American rapprochement in his early years, before the big fall-out over Iraq.

The Economist

WHEN President Jacques Chirac welcomed world leaders to Normandy to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day ten years ago, the Franco-American tie was deeply frayed by the fall-out over war in Iraq.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fall out over", ensure the context clearly indicates what the disagreement pertains to. Specificity enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "fall out over" for minor disagreements. This phrase suggests a significant strain on a relationship or situation, so using it for trivial matters can be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall out over" functions as an idiomatic phrasal verb, expressing a breakdown in relations due to disagreement on a particular issue. As Ludwig indicates, this usage is both correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall out over" is a common and correct phrasal verb used to describe a breakdown in relationships due to a significant disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used correctly in many contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, with neutral formality. When using "fall out over", it's important to ensure the context appropriately reflects the seriousness of the disagreement and the resulting strain on the relationship. While alternatives like "disagree about" exist, they lack the implication of a damaged relationship that "fall out over" conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disagree about

Focuses on the difference in opinions, a less intense form of conflict.

argue about

Suggests a verbal exchange of differing viewpoints.

have a disagreement regarding

More formal and neutral way of describing conflicting opinions.

quarrel about

Indicates a petty or ongoing argument.

clash over

Highlights a sharp and often sudden disagreement.

be at odds regarding

Emphasizes a state of disagreement or opposition.

have words about

Indicates a verbal argument or disagreement.

come to blows over

Implies a severe escalation in conflict, possibly even physical.

have a dispute concerning

Suggests a formal disagreement, often involving legal or official matters.

break up over

Specifically refers to the end of a relationship due to disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "fall out over" in a sentence?

Use "fall out over" to describe a situation where people have a serious disagreement or quarrel that damages their relationship. For example, "The siblings "fell out over" the inheritance".

What's a less intense alternative to "fall out over"?

If you want to express a milder disagreement, consider using phrases like "disagree about", "argue about", or "have a disagreement regarding".

Is it appropriate to use "fall out over" in formal writing?

While "fall out over" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "have a dispute concerning" or "be at odds regarding" may be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "fall out over" and "argue about"?

"Fall out over" implies a more significant and damaging disagreement that strains or ends a relationship. "Argue about" simply means to have a verbal disagreement, which may not necessarily have lasting consequences.