falls through

USAGE SUMMARY

"falls through" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean that something has not materialized or happened as expected. For example: We were hoping to close the deal, but unfortunately it fell through.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Childcare falls through.

Harvard Business Review

Very little falls through the cracks now.

Harvard Business Review

In the end, the transaction falls through.

The Guardian

Here, it falls through the cracks.

The New York Times - Sports

If the move falls through, Chelsea are primed to pounce.

Independent

There are many reasons repertory falls through the cracks.

The New York Times - Arts

The anvil falls through the bubble onto the cat's head.

The New Yorker

"I catch what falls through the cracks, heh-heh".

The New Yorker

She falls through the air, her arms flailing.

The Washington Post

"Fifty bucks is 50 bucks — if it falls through, it falls through," said Susan Wolf Ditkoff, a partner at Bridgespan.

The New York Times

The consumer's credit score falls through the floor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "falls through" in professional writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is failing to materialize. For example, specify if it's a deal, plan, or opportunity.

Common error

While "falls through" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal documents. Opt for stronger, more precise alternatives like "fails to materialize" or "is rendered ineffective" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falls through" functions as a phrasal verb, often used to describe the failure of a plan, agreement, or opportunity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable English expression. Examples show it describing deals, transactions, and even personal matters that do not come to fruition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science & Research

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "falls through" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the failure of a plan or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, it serves to communicate the non-materialization of expected events. While versatile, users should aim for precision in formal settings, opting for alternatives when a stronger or more specific term is required. The semantic spectrum includes variations like ""doesn't materialize"" or ""slips through the cracks"", each nuance tailored to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't materialize

This alternative focuses on the aspect of not becoming a reality.

fails to happen

This is a straightforward substitute emphasizing the lack of occurrence.

doesn't come to fruition

Implies a lack of successful development or completion.

is unsuccessful

Highlights the lack of success or positive outcome.

slips through the cracks

Focuses on something being missed or overlooked.

goes awry

Indicates a deviation from the intended course, leading to failure.

comes to nothing

This suggests that efforts were made, but they did not yield any results.

is abandoned

Focuses on the act of being given up or discontinued.

is canceled

Highlights the aspect of being terminated or called off.

is negated

Emphasizes the aspect of being nullified or made ineffective.

FAQs

How can I use "falls through" in a sentence?

You can use "falls through" to indicate that a plan, deal, or opportunity has failed to materialize. For example, "The merger "doesn't materialize" after regulatory concerns".

What are some alternatives to "falls through"?

Alternatives to "falls through" include "fails to happen", "slips through the cracks", or "doesn't come to fruition", depending on the intended meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "falls through"?

Yes, "falls through" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe something that fails to happen or is unsuccessful.

What's the difference between "falls through" and "slips through the cracks"?

"Falls through" generally refers to a plan or deal that fails, while ""slips through the cracks"" implies something being missed or overlooked due to negligence or oversight.