falling off the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falling off the table" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an object moving or dropping from a table. Example: "My pencil kept rolling towards the edge, and eventually it ended up falling off the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

His curveball was really hard, his slider was good, his split was falling off the table, fastball's dancing everywhere — that's him".

The New York Times - Sports

His trademark sinker was on tonight -- Mets right fielder Bell said it was "falling off the table" -- and all of Hampton's final 21 outs came from grounders or strike outs.

The New York Times - Sports

To put all of this in context, the economy hit rock bottom after falling off the table last fall.

Forbes

The stock floated between $69 and $71 for most of the day before falling off the table amid heavy trading the last hour.

Forbes

Morton said he recognizes the pressures that The Times and all newspapers are under, with advertising revenue essentially falling off the table.

The New York Times

But it suggests that the "gloom and doom perception about credit scores falling off the table" because of the economy "simply isn't true," he said in an e-mail.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"It seemed like the earth would also shatter and we would fall, just like everything that was falling off the tables and shelves in our house".

Unicef

Tax revenues fell off the table.

The New York Times

The fire truck fell off the table for the fifth year in a row.

The New York Times

"After a fairly benign spring, we just fell off the table," he said.

The New York Times

Then at the end of the '80s, when the market fell off the table, I fell off with it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "falling off the table" to describe a decline or failure, ensure the context clearly establishes what is declining or failing. For example, "The company's profits were falling off the table due to increased competition."

Common error

Avoid using "falling off the table" when describing a literal event where an object falls from a table. Instead, use more direct language, such as "The glass fell from the table".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falling off the table" functions as an idiom, typically used to describe a sudden decline, removal, or loss of importance. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "falling off the table" is a grammatically sound idiom frequently used to describe a rapid decline, removal, or loss of importance. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and understandable in various contexts. The usage is predominantly observed in news, scientific, and formal business settings. When writing, it is best used to describe abstract concepts and avoided in literal contexts where physical objects are involved. Alternative phrases like "dropping from the agenda" or "plummeting rapidly" can be considered for more formal or precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dropping from the agenda

Indicates that a topic or plan has been removed or forgotten, similar to something "falling off the table".

being removed from consideration

Suggests that something is no longer being considered, akin to "falling off the table".

being sidelined

Indicates something is being put aside or ignored, similar to it "falling off the table".

declining sharply

Implies a rapid decrease or decline, mirroring the suddenness of "falling off the table" in some contexts.

losing prominence

Suggests a decrease in importance or visibility, similar to an issue "falling off the table".

being eliminated

Indicates that something has been completely removed, akin to "falling off the table".

hitting rock bottom

Describes a situation reaching its lowest point, comparable to "falling off the table" in economic contexts.

being forgotten

Indicates something is no longer remembered or considered, similar to "falling off the table".

vanishing from view

Implies something disappearing or becoming less noticeable, akin to "falling off the table".

plummeting rapidly

Suggests a quick and significant drop, mirroring the sudden nature of "falling off the table" in certain situations.

FAQs

How can I use "falling off the table" in a sentence?

You can use "falling off the table" to describe a situation where something is declining rapidly, being removed from consideration, or being forgotten. For example, "Since the economic crisis, consumer confidence has been "declining sharply", like it's falling off the table."

What is a good substitute for "falling off the table"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "dropping from the agenda", "being removed from consideration", or "plummeting rapidly".

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "falling off the table"?

It's appropriate to use the idiom "falling off the table" when describing abstract concepts, such as economic indicators, political priorities, or personal relationships that are experiencing a rapid decline or are being ignored. It is less appropriate for literal descriptions.

Is "falling off the table" a formal expression?

"Falling off the table" is generally considered an informal to neutral expression. While understandable in most contexts, it might not be suitable for highly formal or academic writing. Consider a more precise or "being sidelined" alternative in those situations.