falling through the cracks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falling through the cracks" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something or someone is overlooked or neglected, often in a system or process. Example: "Due to the high volume of cases, some important issues are falling through the cracks and not receiving the attention they need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They're falling through the cracks.

The Guardian

"We're falling through the cracks," she said.

The New York Times

"We can see kids falling through the cracks.

The New York Times

"We're falling through the cracks of the system," she said.

The New York Times

"Too many children are falling through the cracks".

The New York Times

"I worry that if she doesn't find something else, she'll start falling through the cracks.

The New York Times

"With ASSISTments, I know none of my students are falling through the cracks," Delaney told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Like the victims it covers, Homicide Watch ended up falling through the cracks.

The New York Times

And if there are people that are falling through the cracks, I want to fix that".

The New York Times

Those children from low-income communities may be falling through the cracks".

The New York Times

Good electronic music is forever falling through the cracks in pop culture.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "falling through the cracks" to describe situations where individuals or issues are not adequately addressed due to systemic failures or oversights. It is best applied when a structured process or system should ideally prevent such occurrences.

Common error

While "falling through the cracks" is a common idiom, avoid overusing it in a single piece of writing. Excessive repetition can diminish its impact and make your writing sound uninspired. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing to add variety and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falling through the cracks" functions as an idiom, acting as a noun phrase that describes a state of being overlooked or neglected by a system. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in various contexts to highlight systemic failures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "falling through the cracks" is a common and versatile phrase used to describe situations where individuals or issues are overlooked or neglected by a system. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While highly prevalent, it's advisable to avoid overuse in writing. Alternatives like "slipping through the net" or "being overlooked" can provide variety. The phrase serves to express concern and advocate for systemic improvements. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slipping through the net

Emphasizes the idea of evading a system designed to catch or protect.

being overlooked

Focuses on the act of not being noticed or considered.

being neglected

Highlights the lack of care or attention.

getting lost in the system

Suggests a complex system where individuals can easily become unacknowledged.

dropping off the radar

Implies a disappearance from attention or monitoring.

not receiving attention

Directly states the lack of focus or care.

left behind

Conveys a sense of being abandoned or excluded from progress.

missing out

Highlights the loss of opportunity or benefit.

not being accounted for

Focuses on the lack of proper record-keeping or tracking.

evading detection

Suggests actively avoiding being noticed or identified.

FAQs

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

Use "falling through the cracks" to describe a situation where someone or something is overlooked or neglected within a system. For example: "Without sufficient funding, many vital programs are "falling through the cracks"."

What does it mean when people are "falling through the cracks"?

When people are "falling through the cracks", it means they are not receiving the necessary support or attention from a system that is supposed to help them. This can happen in various areas like healthcare, education, or social services.

What can I say instead of "falling through the cracks"?

You can use alternatives such as "slipping through the net", "being overlooked", or "being neglected" to convey a similar meaning.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "falling through the cracks"?

It's appropriate to use the phrase "falling through the cracks" in contexts where a system or process is failing to provide adequate support or attention, leading to individuals or issues being overlooked. This can apply to discussions about social welfare, education, healthcare, and more.