it fell through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it fell through" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation where something that was planned or expected to happen did not happen. For example, you could say "We had big plans for our vacation, but it fell through at the last minute due to a lack of funds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He had housing arranged, but it fell through, leaving him and his son homeless in a new city.

The Washington Post

The deal would have both made Reliance a killing and forced it to modernise its governance, but it fell through.

The Economist

The meteorite is predicted to have been 50-100 times bigger than its current size before it it fell through the atmosphere.

The Guardian

That could save the rover the trouble of breaking its way through the brittle crust that it fell through on the way in, operators reason.

Science Magazine

The nasal spray had a major setback when its arrangement with Wal-Mart's pharmacies to administer it fell through.

The New York Times - Health

But it fell through.

The New York Times

Then it fell through.

The New York Times - Sports

They lifted it up, it fell through.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

And then we arrived in Mission Beach, and it all fell through, like the coarse gray sand slips through your fingers.

Huffington Post

"It's really disappointing that fell through," she added.

BBC

Here, it falls through the cracks.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it fell through" when you want to clearly and concisely indicate that a plan, agreement, or arrangement failed to happen. It's a versatile idiom suitable for various contexts, from business deals to personal arrangements.

Common error

Avoid using "it fell through" literally, assuming it refers to something physically falling. The phrase is an idiom, meaning a plan or agreement failed. Using it literally will confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it fell through" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the failure or cancellation of a plan, deal, or arrangement. It succinctly conveys that something expected to happen did not materialize. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it fell through" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe the failure of a plan, arrangement, or deal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, indicating its widespread usage across various contexts. While generally neutral to slightly informal, it is versatile enough for most communication scenarios. Related phrases include "it didn't work out" and "it came to nothing", offering alternative ways to express the same concept. Remember to use the idiom correctly, understanding its meaning beyond the literal sense of something physically falling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it didn't work out

Focuses on the lack of success of a plan or arrangement.

it came to nothing

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcome or result.

it was unsuccessful

Directly states the failure of an attempt or endeavor.

it didn't happen

Simple and direct way to say something did not occur as planned.

it failed to materialize

Highlights the lack of tangible form or realization of a plan.

it was aborted

Implies that the plan was deliberately stopped before completion.

it fizzled out

Suggests a gradual decline and eventual failure of a plan.

it collapsed

Emphasizes a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

it petered out

Indicates a gradual decrease in strength or importance, leading to failure.

it proved unfeasible

Highlights the impracticality or impossibility of the plan.

FAQs

What does "it fell through" mean?

The phrase "it fell through" means that a plan, arrangement, or deal failed to happen or was unsuccessful. It suggests that something was expected to occur, but ultimately did not.

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

You can use "it fell through" to describe any situation where a planned event didn't occur. For example, "We were going to buy a house, but "it fell through" when the financing was denied."

What are some alternatives to saying "it fell through"?

Some alternatives to "it fell through" include "it didn't work out", "it came to nothing", or "it was unsuccessful". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "it fell through" formal or informal?

"It fell through" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly informal expression. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "the arrangement was terminated" or "the deal was unsuccessful".