fell through

USAGE SUMMARY

"fell through" is an acceptable term in written English.
It is a colloquial expression that means that a plan or promise did not come to fruition. For example, "We had planned to take a vacation, but it fell through when we couldn't find a good deal on a flight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

One trip fell through, then another.

The New York Times - Sports

But that deal fell through too.

TechCrunch

That deal fell through.

The New York Times

That fell through.

The New York Times

One venue fell through.

The New York Times

The project fell through.

The New York Times

But it fell through.

The New York Times

They fell through.

The New York Times

Most fell through the net.

The New York Times - Sports

I fell through the air.

The New Yorker

Ambitious expansion plans fell through.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fell through" to describe plans or agreements that didn't materialize due to unforeseen circumstances or failure in negotiations.

Common error

Avoid using "fell through" in contexts where you mean someone physically fell through something. In those cases, use "fall through" or "fell into" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fell through" functions as a way to express the failure of a plan, agreement, or expectation to materialize. This usage is well-supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its acceptability in written English and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fell through" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the failure of a plan, deal, or arrangement. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in diverse written contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, avoid confusing its meaning with physical falling. Consider alternatives like "did not happen" or "failed to materialize" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not happen

Simple and direct replacement focusing on the event not occurring.

failed to materialize

More formal, emphasizing the lack of realization of a plan.

came to nothing

Highlights the lack of positive outcome or result.

was unsuccessful

Focuses on the failure to achieve a desired result.

did not work out

An informal way of saying that something didn't succeed.

was aborted

Emphasizes a premature ending to a planned action.

was canceled

Focuses on the termination of an arrangement.

dissolved

Suggests a formal ending or breaking apart of an agreement.

collapsed

Implies a sudden and often unexpected failure.

petered out

Indicates a gradual decline and eventual failure.

FAQs

What does "fell through" mean?

The phrase "fell through" means that a plan, deal, or arrangement did not happen or was not successful.

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

You can say, "Our vacation plans "fell through" because the hotel was overbooked", or "The merger "fell through" due to disagreements between the companies".

What are some alternatives to "fell through"?

Some alternatives include "did not happen", "failed to materialize", or "did not work out", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fall through" or "fell through"?

"Fell through" is the past tense of "fall through". Use "fell through" when referring to something that already happened. Use "fall through" when speaking about a future possibility: "The deal might "fall through" if they don't agree to the terms".