fall through the cracks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall through the cracks" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe an instance where someone or something has not been given the attention, care, or support it should have. For example, "Many of the children in the foster system fall through the cracks and don't get the support they need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They fall through the cracks".

The New York Times

And some probably fall through the cracks.

The New York Times

No worker should fall through the cracks.

The Guardian - Tech

Students could fall through the cracks".

The New York Times

So more things fall through the cracks.

The Guardian - Music

"The people fall through the cracks.

The New York Times

"Things fall through the cracks all the time.

The New York Times

People don't want their children to fall through the cracks.

The New York Times

We didn't want our Jewishness to fall through the cracks".

The New York Times

Last year I let things fall through the cracks.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's a world where kids fall through the cracks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall through the cracks" to highlight systemic failures where individuals or issues are missed due to inadequate processes or oversights. For example, when discussing social safety nets or organizational inefficiencies.

Common error

Avoid using "fall through the cracks" when referring to individual errors or isolated incidents. This phrase is best suited for describing recurring problems within a larger system or organization.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fall through the cracks" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes a situation where something or someone is missed or neglected due to a systemic failure. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and applicability across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall through the cracks" is a common idiom used to describe situations where individuals or important details are missed or neglected due to systemic failures or oversights. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used. It is versatile enough to be used in a neutral register across various contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When writing, remember that this phrase is best used when referring to recurring problems within a larger system rather than individual errors. Alternatives like "be overlooked" or "slip through the net" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slip through the net

Conveys escaping detection or support within a system.

get lost in the shuffle

Implies being overlooked due to confusion or disorganization.

miss out on support

Focuses on the lack of assistance, excluding the systemic failure implied by the original phrase.

be overlooked

Indicates being missed or ignored, lacking the systemic failure implied by the original phrase.

be neglected

Focuses on a lack of care or attention, rather than a systemic failure.

be left behind

Suggests a failure to keep pace with progress or support, without specifying the systemic cause.

go unnoticed

Highlights a lack of recognition, differing from the implication of systemic failure to provide support.

be marginalized

Indicates being pushed to the edge or periphery, lacking the aspect of systemic failure.

not receive attention

Directly states the absence of focus or care, missing the idiomatic nuance.

be forgotten

Emphasizes being overlooked, not necessarily due to a system.

FAQs

What does it mean when something or someone "fall through the cracks"?

It means they are missed or neglected by a system that should have caught them. This often happens due to flaws or gaps in processes or a lack of resources.

How can I use "fall through the cracks" in a sentence?

You might say, "Without proper oversight, important details can "fall through the cracks"", or "Vulnerable individuals often "fall through the cracks" in the healthcare system".

What are some alternatives to saying "fall through the cracks"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "be overlooked", "slip through the net", or "get lost in the shuffle".

Is it better to say "fall through the cracks" or "fall through the gaps"?

While both phrases are similar, "fall through the cracks" is more common and idiomatic. "Fall through the gaps" is a viable alternative, but it is less frequently used.