take a fall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a fall" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in contexts where someone is taking a risk or facing a setback, particularly in sports or business. Example: "After a series of poor decisions, the company had to take a fall in the stock market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Each election, the mayor showers the city with tens of millions of dollars — $102 million in 2009 — for services good, bad and highly dubious, and now Mr. Haggerty is supposed to take a fall?

The New York Times

Jessica did take a fall.

The New Yorker

He'd take a fall, but not culpability.

The New York Times

Are they next in line to take a fall?

The New York Times

They will also take a fall academic course with a service component.

Princeton University

Someone has to take a fall for something not going well.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The courts also take a summer break.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Clippers take a 98-79 lead.

The Guardian - Sport

Matthew DeLuca explains how a boss can take a summer vacation.

The New York Times

She decided to take a summer literature course.

The New Yorker

Michigan just scored to take a 23-17 lead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a fall" when you want to convey the idea of someone accepting blame, experiencing a setback, or deliberately sacrificing themselves for the benefit of others or to protect someone else.

Common error

Avoid using "take a fall" literally when describing a physical fall. The phrase primarily carries an idiomatic meaning related to accepting blame or experiencing a setback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a fall" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression. It signifies accepting blame, experiencing a setback, or sacrificing oneself for another. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a fall" is a versatile idiom with meanings spanning from accepting blame to experiencing setbacks, often with a component of sacrifice. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. Its prevalence in news and media contributes to its widespread understanding. When writing, it's crucial to use this phrase idiomatically rather than literally and to consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. Related phrases like "suffer a setback" or "accept the blame" can serve as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer a setback

Focuses on the negative consequence or hindrance experienced, rather than the act of falling or being forced to fail.

accept the blame

Emphasizes the act of accepting responsibility for something that went wrong.

be scapegoated

Highlights being unfairly blamed for others' mistakes or wrongdoings.

face consequences

Focuses on the repercussions of an action or situation.

meet one's downfall

Implies a significant and often irreversible decline or failure.

shoulder the responsibility

Emphasizes the act of carrying the burden of responsibility.

become a casualty

Suggests being a victim of circumstance or collateral damage.

go down

A simpler way of saying failing or being defeated.

be ruined

Highlights the state of being destroyed or irreparably damaged.

come to grief

Describes experiencing trouble or misfortune.

FAQs

How can I use "take a fall" in a sentence?

You can use "take a fall" to describe someone accepting blame for something, as in, "He was willing to "take a fall" for his friend". It can also mean experiencing a setback or failure.

What does it mean when someone says "take a fall"?

When someone says "take a fall", they usually mean that a person is accepting blame or responsibility, often to protect someone else, or that they are experiencing a decline or setback.

What can I say instead of "take a fall"?

You can use alternatives like "suffer a setback", "accept the blame", or "be scapegoated depending on the context".

Is "take a fall" a formal or informal expression?

"Take a fall" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and formal contexts, although it is more common in news and media than in highly formal academic writing. However, the expression should be contextualized with the overall text register.