fall back on
Related to fall back on: stick with, come down with, cut out for, on the part of
fall back on (someone or something)
To depend on someone or something that one has kept in reserve. With all of these medical bills, I just don't have any more money to fall back on. We can fall back on a few other babysitters if Jane can't make it.
See also: back, fall, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
fall back on(to) someone or something
1. . Lit. to fallback-wards onto someone or something. She stumbled and fell back onto the lady behind her. She fell back on the couch.
2. Fig. to begin to use someone or something held in reserve. We fell back on our savings to get us through the hardtimes. We had to fall back on our emergency generator.
See also: back, fall, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
fall back on
Also, fall back upon. Rely on, have recourse to, as in I fall back on old friends in time of need, or When he lost his job he had to fall back upon his savings. [Mid-1800s]
See also: back, fall, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- fall back on (someone or something)
- fall back upon (someone or something)
- budget
- budget (something) for (something)
- budget for
- look to (someone or something) for (something)
- depend (up)on (someone or something)
- depend on
- fall behind on (something)
- look to