falling into trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

"falling into trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to someone getting into trouble, especially if they're doing something unintentional or against their own will. For example: "John thought he was careful, but he didn't realize he was slowly falling into trouble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Rogowski grew arrogant, alienating himself from his skateboard buddies, falling into trouble with the law.

The New York Times

But if we are to protect our system from falling into trouble again, we need broad-based reform that covers all types of financial institutions and all forms of potentially risky activities.

The New York Times

Just when things were looking up, Volkswagen is falling into trouble again.

Forbes

Most of the benefits of protectionism center on winning tomorrow's industries and keeping today's from falling into trouble, not on rescuing industries already dying.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In recent years, the business fell into trouble.

The New York Times

Both receivers fell into trouble with the police and the league office.

The New York Times - Sports

He declared that the country has fallen into trouble because the American people lack backbone.

The New Yorker

Sabathia fell into trouble early, and the Yankees had very few opportunities to tie it.

The New York Times - Sports

But with a 4-1 lead, Pettite fell into trouble in the seventh.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's where movies fall into trouble – when they try to say, 'You know what?

The Guardian - Film

Leiter's pitch count edged toward 90 in the sixth inning, and he fell into trouble.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "falling into trouble" to describe a gradual or unintentional descent into a problematic situation. It suggests less agency than alternatives like "deliberately causing trouble".

Common error

Avoid using "falling into trouble" to describe immediate or sudden instances of problems. This phrase implies a gradual process, not an instantaneous event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falling into trouble" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of gradually entering a state of difficulty or adversity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in describing unintentional or progressive problematic situations. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts, from personal conduct to financial downturns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "falling into trouble" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a gradual descent into a problematic state. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is particularly useful when describing unintentional or progressive negative situations. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While the phrase is not extremely common, it is a valuable tool for expressing a specific type of difficulty. Related phrases like "getting into difficulty" or "encountering problems" offer similar but slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid using this phrase to describe sudden events, as it implies a more prolonged process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountering problems

Highlights the confrontation with specific issues or problems.

getting into difficulty

Focuses on the act of encountering difficulty, highlighting a challenging situation.

experiencing misfortune

Emphasizes the experience of bad luck or adverse events.

landing in a sticky situation

Suggests a situation that is difficult to get out of.

finding oneself in a predicament

Implies a more complex or awkward situation than simply "trouble".

getting caught in a bind

Suggests being trapped in a restrictive or difficult situation with limited options.

stumbling into a mess

Conveys a sense of accidentally becoming involved in a complicated or unpleasant situation.

getting entangled in complications

Emphasizes the involvement in complex and often confusing issues.

facing adversity

Highlights the challenge of dealing with difficult or unfavorable conditions.

being beset by difficulties

Implies being persistently affected by problems.

FAQs

How can I use "falling into trouble" in a sentence?

You can use "falling into trouble" to describe a gradual or unintentional descent into a problematic situation. For example: "The company was "falling into trouble" due to poor management decisions."

What are some alternatives to "falling into trouble"?

Some alternatives to "falling into trouble" include "getting into difficulty", "encountering problems", or "experiencing misfortune".

Is it better to say "falling into trouble" or "getting into trouble"?

Both "falling into trouble" and "getting into trouble" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Falling into trouble" suggests a more gradual and unintentional process, while "getting into trouble" can imply a more deliberate action.

What kind of trouble is typically described as "falling into trouble"?

"Falling into trouble" is often used to describe financial difficulties, legal problems, or personal issues that develop over time, as opposed to sudden accidents or isolated incidents.