{"id":8506,"date":"2026-08-19T09:09:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T09:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/phrasal-verbs-with-fall\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T09:09:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T09:09:37","slug":"phrasal-verbs-with-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/th\/phrasal-verbs-with-fall\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Phrasal Verbs with FALL | FALL \u82f1\u6587\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e\u5b8c\u6574\u6307\u5357"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nQuick Answer \u5feb\u901f\u89e3\u7b54:<\/strong> The most common phrasal verbs with FALL include fall apart<\/em> (\u5d29\u6f70), fall behind<\/em> (\u843d\u5f8c), fall for<\/em> (\u611b\u4e0a\u6216\u88ab\u9a19), fall through<\/em> (\u544a\u5439), and fall out<\/em> (\u5435\u67b6). This guide covers 20 essential FALL phrasal verbs with Chinese translations \u4e2d\u6587 and example sentences for everyday and professional use.\n<\/div>\n

The verb fall<\/em> combines with prepositions and adverbs to create over 20 different meanings in everyday English \u2014 and most of them have nothing to do with physically falling down. Taiwanese learners often know fall in love<\/em> and fall asleep<\/em>, but miss the ones native speakers use constantly at work and in daily life: fall behind on a deadline<\/em>, a deal falls through<\/em>, fall out with a friend<\/em>. Once you know these, a whole layer of English becomes readable that wasn’t before.<\/p>\n

\"phrasal<\/p>\n

Why FALL Phrasal Verbs Are Worth Your Time [\u70ba\u4ec0\u9ebc FALL \u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e\u503c\u5f97\u5b78\uff1f]<\/h2>\n

The Cambridge English Corpus shows that fall<\/em> is one of the 25 most productive verbs in terms of phrasal verb combinations \u2014 meaning it pairs with more particles to create more distinct meanings than almost any other common verb. Many of those combinations appear constantly in news English, workplace conversations, and everyday speech. For Taiwan learners preparing for TOEIC, IELTS, or just smoother conversations with native speakers, FALL phrasal verbs are high-value vocabulary: high frequency, broad context, and often untranslatable word-for-word into Chinese.<\/p>\n

The 20 verbs below are grouped by theme so the meanings stick. Work through each group, then check the quick reference table at the bottom before moving on to the practice section.<\/p>\n

\"fall<\/p>\n

Phrasal Verbs with FALL \u2014 Failure and Collapse [\u5931\u6557\u8207\u5d29\u6f70]<\/h2>\n

These five phrasal verbs all describe something failing or breaking down. Knowing each one’s exact nuance will stop you from using them interchangeably \u2014 which native speakers notice immediately.<\/p>\n

1. Fall Apart [\u5d29\u6f70 \/ \u6563\u67b6]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To break into pieces, or to completely lose control emotionally or organizationally.<\/p>\n

The old chair fell apart when I sat on it.<\/em> \u2014 \u90a3\u628a\u820a\u6905\u5b50\u4e00\u5750\u5c31\u6563\u67b6\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

After the manager quit, the whole project fell apart.<\/em> \u2014 \u7d93\u7406\u96e2\u8077\u5f8c\uff0c\u6574\u500b\u8a08\u756b\u5c31\u5d29\u6f70\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

This one works for both physical objects and abstract things like plans, relationships, or teams.<\/p>\n

2. Fall Down [\u5012\u4e0b \/ \u5931\u6557]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To collapse physically, or to fail in some specific respect.<\/p>\n

She fell down on the wet floor near the entrance.<\/em> \u2014 \u5979\u5728\u5165\u53e3\u9644\u8fd1\u7684\u6fd5\u5730\u677f\u4e0a\u6454\u5012\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

The proposal falls down on one key point \u2014 the budget is unrealistic.<\/em> \u2014 \u9019\u500b\u63d0\u6848\u5728\u4e00\u500b\u95dc\u9375\u9ede\u4e0a\u5931\u6557\u4e86\uff1a\u9810\u7b97\u4e0d\u5207\u5be6\u969b\u3002<\/p>\n

The second usage \u2014 “falls down on X” \u2014 is especially common in formal writing and business discussions when identifying a specific weakness.<\/p>\n

3. Fall Through [\u544a\u5439 \/ \u5931\u6557]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> When a plan, deal, or arrangement fails to happen.<\/p>\n

We were going to sign the contract, but the deal fell through at the last minute.<\/em> \u2014 \u6211\u5011\u672c\u4f86\u8981\u7c3d\u5408\u7d04\uff0c\u4f46\u6700\u5f8c\u95dc\u982d\u4ea4\u6613\u544a\u5439\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

My vacation plans fell through because of the typhoon.<\/em> \u2014 \u6211\u7684\u5047\u671f\u8a08\u756b\u56e0\u98b1\u98a8\u6ce1\u6e6f\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

Fall through<\/em> is stronger than simply “not working out” \u2014 it implies the plan was already in motion before collapsing.<\/p>\n

4. Fall Flat [\u5931\u6557 \/ \u6c92\u6709\u6548\u679c]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> When a joke, speech, or campaign fails to have the expected effect or gets no response.<\/p>\n

His opening joke fell flat \u2014 nobody laughed.<\/em> \u2014 \u4ed6\u7684\u958b\u5834\u7b11\u8a71\u6c92\u4eba\u8cb7\u5e33\uff0c\u6c92\u4eba\u7b11\u3002<\/p>\n

The new advertising campaign fell flat with younger audiences.<\/em> \u2014 \u65b0\u7684\u5ee3\u544a\u6d3b\u52d5\u5c0d\u5e74\u8f15\u53d7\u773e\u5b8c\u5168\u6c92\u6548\u679c\u3002<\/p>\n

Use this when something was expected to impress or entertain but didn’t land the way it was supposed to.<\/p>\n

5. Fall Short [\u4e0d\u8db3 \/ \u672a\u9054\u5230]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To not meet a target, standard, or expectation.<\/p>\n

Sales fell short of our target by 15% last quarter.<\/em> \u2014 \u4e0a\u4e00\u5b63\u92b7\u552e\u984d\u672a\u9054\u76ee\u6a19\uff0c\u5dee\u4e8615%\u3002<\/p>\n

The movie was good, but it fell short of the expectations set by the trailer.<\/em> \u2014 \u96fb\u5f71\u4e0d\u932f\uff0c\u4f46\u6c92\u9054\u5230\u9810\u544a\u7247\u5e36\u4f86\u7684\u671f\u671b\u3002<\/p>\n

Fall short of<\/em> is the most common form \u2014 always followed by “of” and then the standard or goal that wasn’t reached.<\/p>\n

\"phrasal<\/p>\n

Getting Behind and Being Affected [\u843d\u5f8c\u8207\u53d7\u5f71\u97ff]<\/h2>\n

6. Fall Behind [\u843d\u5f8c \/ \u62d6\u6b20]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To not keep up with progress, payments, or a schedule.<\/p>\n

I fell behind in my coursework after missing two weeks of class.<\/em> \u2014 \u7f3a\u8ab2\u5169\u9031\u5f8c\uff0c\u6211\u7684\u8ab2\u696d\u843d\u5f8c\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

They fell behind on their rent and received a warning from the landlord.<\/em> \u2014 \u4ed6\u5011\u62d6\u6b20\u623f\u79df\uff0c\u6536\u5230\u4e86\u623f\u6771\u7684\u8b66\u544a\u3002<\/p>\n

You can “fall behind on” a task, payment, or schedule \u2014 or just “fall behind” with no object when the context is clear.<\/p>\n

7. Fall Victim To [\u6210\u70ba\u53d7\u5bb3\u8005 \/ \u4e2d\u62db]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To be harmed by or deceived by something, whether a scam, a disease, or a situation.<\/p>\n

Many elderly people in Taiwan fall victim to phone scams every year.<\/em> \u2014 \u6bcf\u5e74\u53f0\u7063\u6709\u8a31\u591a\u8001\u5e74\u4eba\u6210\u70ba\u96fb\u8a71\u8a50\u9a19\u7684\u53d7\u5bb3\u8005\u3002<\/p>\n

The city fell victim to flooding every summer until the new drainage system was built.<\/em> \u2014 \u5728\u65b0\u6392\u6c34\u7cfb\u7d71\u5efa\u6210\u4e4b\u524d\uff0c\u9019\u5ea7\u57ce\u5e02\u6bcf\u5e74\u590f\u5929\u90fd\u906d\u53d7\u6c34\u707d\u3002<\/p>\n

This phrase always uses “to” \u2014 fall victim to<\/em> a scam, a disease, or an unfortunate situation.<\/p>\n

\"english<\/p>\n

FALL Phrasal Verbs \u2014 Love and Attraction [\u611b\u60c5\u8207\u5438\u5f15]<\/h2>\n

Two of the most emotionally loaded phrasal verbs in English both use FALL. They look similar but carry different shades of meaning that matter.<\/p>\n

8. Fall For [\u611b\u4e0a \/ \u4e0a\u7576]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Either to develop romantic feelings for someone, or to be tricked or deceived.<\/p>\n

He fell for her the moment they met at the conference.<\/em> \u2014 \u4ed6\u4e00\u5728\u7814\u8a0e\u6703\u4e0a\u898b\u5230\u5979\u5c31\u611b\u4e0a\u4e86\u5979\u3002<\/p>\n

I can’t believe you fell for that trick \u2014 it’s one of the oldest scams out there.<\/em> \u2014 \u6211\u4e0d\u6562\u76f8\u4fe1\u4f60\u4e0a\u4e86\u90a3\u500b\u7576\uff0c\u90a3\u662f\u6700\u53e4\u8001\u7684\u9a19\u5c40\u4e4b\u4e00\u3002<\/p>\n

Context makes the meaning clear: when the object is a person, it means attraction; when it’s a trick, lie, or scheme, it means deception.<\/p>\n

9. Fall In Love With [\u611b\u4e0a]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To begin to love someone or something deeply \u2014 not just initial attraction, but a deeper emotional state.<\/p>\n

She fell in love with Taipei after her first visit and never left.<\/em> \u2014 \u5979\u7b2c\u4e00\u6b21\u4f86\u53f0\u5317\u5c31\u611b\u4e0a\u4e86\u9019\u5ea7\u57ce\u5e02\uff0c\u518d\u4e5f\u6c92\u6709\u96e2\u958b\u3002<\/p>\n

I fell in love with teaching the first time I stood in front of a classroom.<\/em> \u2014 \u7b2c\u4e00\u6b21\u7ad9\u5728\u6559\u5ba4\u524d\uff0c\u6211\u5c31\u611b\u4e0a\u4e86\u6559\u5b78\u9019\u4ef6\u4e8b\u3002<\/p>\n

You can fall in love with a person, a city, a job, or a food. The breadth of usage makes this one of the most versatile FALL expressions.<\/p>\n

\"phrasal<\/p>\n

Relationships \u2014 FALL Out and FALL In [\u4eba\u969b\u95dc\u4fc2]<\/h2>\n

10. Fall Out (With) [\u5435\u67b6 \/ \u9b27\u7ffb]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To have an argument with someone that damages or ends the relationship.<\/p>\n

She fell out with her business partner over money and they haven’t spoken since.<\/em> \u2014 \u5979\u8207\u5546\u696d\u5925\u4f34\u70ba\u9322\u9b27\u7ffb\uff0c\u6b64\u5f8c\u518d\u4e5f\u6c92\u6709\u8aaa\u904e\u8a71\u3002<\/p>\n

The two brothers fell out years ago and the family has never fully recovered.<\/em> \u2014 \u5169\u5144\u5f1f\u591a\u5e74\u524d\u9b27\u7ffb\u4e86\uff0c\u6574\u500b\u5bb6\u5ead\u59cb\u7d42\u672a\u80fd\u5b8c\u5168\u6062\u5fa9\u3002<\/p>\n

This implies more than a single argument \u2014 it suggests a lasting break or significant cooling in the relationship.<\/p>\n

11. Fall In With [\u5076\u7136\u7d50\u4ea4 \/ \u540c\u610f]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To start spending time with a group of people (often with a bad influence implied), or to agree with a plan or idea.<\/p>\n

He fell in with the wrong crowd after dropping out of school.<\/em> \u2014 \u4ed6\u8f1f\u5b78\u5f8c\u7d50\u4ea4\u4e86\u4e0d\u597d\u7684\u670b\u53cb\u3002<\/p>\n

The committee fell in with the CEO’s new strategy after seeing the data.<\/em> \u2014 \u59d4\u54e1\u6703\u770b\u904e\u6578\u64da\u5f8c\uff0c\u540c\u610f\u4e86\u57f7\u884c\u9577\u7684\u65b0\u7b56\u7565\u3002<\/p>\n

Watch for context to know if it means “joined a group” or “agreed with a proposal” \u2014 the grammar is the same but the tone is different.<\/p>\n

\"language<\/p>\n

Change and Position [\u8b8a\u5316\u8207\u4f4d\u7f6e]<\/h2>\n

12. Fall Into [\u843d\u5165 \/ \u5076\u7136\u9032\u5165]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To enter a situation or category, often without planning it \u2014 or to be classified within a type.<\/p>\n

I didn’t plan to become a teacher \u2014 I just fell into it after university.<\/em> \u2014 \u6211\u4e26\u6c92\u6709\u8a08\u5283\u6210\u70ba\u8001\u5e2b\uff0c\u5927\u5b78\u5f8c\u53ea\u662f\u81ea\u7136\u800c\u7136\u5730\u8d70\u4e0a\u4e86\u9019\u689d\u8def\u3002<\/p>\n

The business falls into two main categories: exports and domestic sales.<\/em> \u2014 \u9019\u9580\u751f\u610f\u4e3b\u8981\u5206\u6210\u5169\u5927\u985e\uff1a\u51fa\u53e3\u548c\u570b\u5167\u92b7\u552e\u3002<\/p>\n

Fall into place<\/em> is a related expression meaning things finally work out \u2014 \u4e00\u5207\u6c34\u5230\u6e20\u6210\u3002<\/p>\n

13. Fall Back On [\u4f9d\u9760 \/ \u9000\u800c\u6c42\u5176\u6b21]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To use something as a backup or safety net when the primary option fails.<\/p>\n

When the tech company closed, she fell back on her teaching certificate to find work.<\/em> \u2014 \u79d1\u6280\u516c\u53f8\u95dc\u9589\u5f8c\uff0c\u5979\u9760\u6559\u5e2b\u57f7\u7167\u627e\u5230\u4e86\u5de5\u4f5c\u3002<\/p>\n

It’s smart to have savings you can fall back on during a slow month.<\/em> \u2014 \u6709\u4e00\u7b46\u5099\u7528\u5132\u84c4\u5728\u696d\u7e3e\u5dee\u7684\u6708\u4efd\u53ef\u4ee5\u4f9d\u9760\uff0c\u9019\u5f88\u660e\u667a\u3002<\/p>\n

This always implies a second choice \u2014 something you resort to, not your first preference.<\/p>\n

14. Fall Off [\u6389\u843d \/ \u4e0b\u964d]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To drop off physically, or to decrease in level, quality, or quantity.<\/p>\n

The handle fell off the door \u2014 we need to call the landlord.<\/em> \u2014 \u9580\u628a\u6389\u4e0b\u4f86\u4e86\uff0c\u6211\u5011\u5f97\u6253\u96fb\u8a71\u7d66\u623f\u6771\u3002<\/p>\n

Website traffic fell off sharply after the algorithm update.<\/em> \u2014 \u6f14\u7b97\u6cd5\u66f4\u65b0\u5f8c\uff0c\u7db2\u7ad9\u6d41\u91cf\u6025\u5287\u4e0b\u964d\u3002<\/p>\n

The business and statistical sense \u2014 sales fall off, quality falls off, interest falls off \u2014 is extremely common in professional English writing.<\/p>\n

15. Fall Away [\u6d88\u9000 \/ \u9010\u6f38\u6e1b\u5c11]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To gradually decrease or disappear over time.<\/p>\n

Support for the policy began to fall away as the costs became clear.<\/em> \u2014 \u96a8\u8457\u4ee3\u50f9\u9010\u6f38\u660e\u6717\uff0c\u5c0d\u9019\u9805\u653f\u7b56\u7684\u652f\u6301\u958b\u59cb\u6d88\u9000\u3002<\/p>\n

Her nervousness fell away once she started speaking in front of the group.<\/em> \u2014 \u4e00\u958b\u53e3\u5c0d\u8457\u5927\u5bb6\u8aaa\u8a71\uff0c\u5979\u7684\u7dca\u5f35\u611f\u5c31\u6d88\u6563\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

Subtler than “fall off” \u2014 it suggests a gradual fading rather than a sharp measurable drop.<\/p>\n

16. Fall Under [\u6b78\u985e\u65bc \/ \u53d7\u7ba1\u8f44]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To be classified within a category, or to come under someone’s authority or control.<\/p>\n

This case falls under the jurisdiction of the Taipei District Court.<\/em> \u2014 \u9019\u500b\u6848\u4ef6\u5c6c\u65bc\u53f0\u5317\u5730\u65b9\u6cd5\u9662\u7684\u7ba1\u8f44\u7bc4\u570d\u3002<\/p>\n

The new regulation falls under environmental law, not labor law.<\/em> \u2014 \u9019\u9805\u65b0\u898f\u5b9a\u5c6c\u65bc\u74b0\u5883\u6cd5\uff0c\u800c\u4e0d\u662f\u52de\u52d5\u6cd5\u7684\u7bc4\u7587\u3002<\/p>\n

Common in official, legal, and academic writing when categorizing topics, departments, or responsibilities.<\/p>\n

\"esl<\/p>\n

Everyday FALL Expressions [\u65e5\u5e38\u751f\u6d3b\u4e2d\u7684 FALL \u8868\u9054]<\/h2>\n

17. Fall Asleep [\u7761\u8457]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To go to sleep, especially unintentionally or suddenly.<\/p>\n

I fell asleep during the meeting \u2014 the room was too warm.<\/em> \u2014 \u6211\u5728\u6703\u8b70\u4e2d\u7761\u8457\u4e86\uff0c\u623f\u9593\u592a\u6696\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

She always falls asleep within five minutes of getting on the MRT.<\/em> \u2014 \u5979\u6bcf\u6b21\u4e00\u4e0a\u6377\u904b\u4e94\u5206\u9418\u5167\u5c31\u7761\u8457\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

This is one of the most natural ways to say “go to sleep” in English \u2014 far more natural than “I slept during the meeting.”<\/p>\n

18. Fall Sick \/ Fall Ill [\u751f\u75c5]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To become sick or ill, often suddenly and unexpectedly.<\/p>\n

Half the class fell sick after eating at the school cafeteria.<\/em> \u2014 \u534a\u500b\u73ed\u7684\u540c\u5b78\u5728\u5b78\u6821\u9910\u5ef3\u5403\u5b8c\u6771\u897f\u5f8c\u751f\u75c5\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

He fell ill the night before his final exam.<\/em> \u2014 \u4ed6\u5728\u671f\u672b\u8003\u524d\u4e00\u665a\u751f\u75c5\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

“Fall ill” is slightly more formal than “fall sick,” but both are standard in British and American English.<\/p>\n

19. Fall Due [\u5230\u671f]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> When a payment, loan, invoice, or obligation reaches its deadline.<\/p>\n

The rent falls due on the first of every month without exception.<\/em> \u2014 \u623f\u79df\u6bcf\u6708\u4e00\u65e5\u5230\u671f\uff0c\u6beb\u7121\u4f8b\u5916\u3002<\/p>\n

Three invoices are falling due this week \u2014 make sure the accounts payable team is ready.<\/em> \u2014 \u672c\u9031\u6709\u4e09\u5f35\u767c\u7968\u5230\u671f\uff0c\u8acb\u78ba\u4fdd\u61c9\u4ed8\u5e33\u6b3e\u90e8\u9580\u5df2\u505a\u597d\u6e96\u5099\u3002<\/p>\n

Standard financial and business English \u2014 important for anyone working in accounting, HR, or administration in Taiwan.<\/p>\n

20. Fall Over [\u7d46\u5012 \/ \u904e\u5ea6\u8868\u73fe]<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To trip and fall physically, or \u2014 in the fixed expression “fall over themselves” \u2014 to make excessive effort to please or impress.<\/p>\n

The child tripped on the step and fell over.<\/em> \u2014 \u90a3\u500b\u5c0f\u5b69\u5728\u53f0\u968e\u4e0a\u7d46\u5012\u4e86\u3002<\/p>\n

Everyone was falling over themselves to impress the new director on her first day.<\/em> \u2014 \u6bcf\u500b\u4eba\u90fd\u5728\u62fc\u547d\u8868\u73fe\u4f86\u7d66\u65b0\u4e3b\u4efb\u7b2c\u4e00\u5929\u4e0a\u73ed\u7559\u4e0b\u597d\u5370\u8c61\u3002<\/p>\n

“Fall over themselves” is a fixed expression \u2014 it always implies someone is trying too hard or being excessively eager to please.<\/p>\n

Watch This to Hear Native Speakers Use FALL Phrasal Verbs [\u5f71\u7247\uff1a\u807d\u6bcd\u8a9e\u8005\u5982\u4f55\u4f7f\u7528 FALL \u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e]<\/h2>\n

This engVid lesson covers several key FALL phrasal verbs with clear, real-world examples. The teacher explains not just the meaning but how native speakers actually use these in conversation \u2014 the kind of nuance that textbooks often skip.<\/p>\n