fall in
fall in(to)
1. To actually drop or plummet into something. There are a lot of holes out there—be sure not to fall into any.
2. To collapse, crumble, or cave in. The firefighters were able to get those kids out of the house before the roof fell in.
3. To plop onto or into something. Sarah fell into the passenger seat with a dramatic sigh and proceeded to tell me all about the latest gossip at school.
4. To join a formation, often a military one. Troops, fall in!
5. To begin walking at the same pace as someone else. If you don't fall into step with us, you'll get left behind.
6. To begin to participate in something. How did you end up falling into a lecture with Grandpa about the Farmers' Almanac?
7. To be able to be easily grouped or categorized in a particular way. The types of arguments that my family has on Thanksgiving fall into two basic categories: food-related and sports-related.
8. To become organized in a particular way. There were a lot of missteps along the way, but all of our plans have finally fallen into place.
9. To experience a significant, usually unpleasant, change in one's mood or emotional state. I always fall into a depressive state during the winter months.
10. To experience a significant, usually unpleasant, change in state. The classroom fell into chaos as soon as the teacher stepped into the hallway.
11. To obtain something, typically unexpectedly or with little effort. When my grandfather died, I ended up falling into a lot of money.
See also: fall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
fall in (to something)
to drop into something. The rabbit fell into the hole and was trapped. It went right up to the hole and fell in.
See also: fall
fall in (to step)
to get into the same marching pattern as everyone else as regards which foot moves forward. (Everyone should be moving the same foot forward at the same time.) I just can't seem to fall into step. I am very uncoordinated. Fall in! March with the others!
See also: fall
fall in
to line up in a row, standing shoulder to shoulder. The Boy Scouts were told to fall in behind the leader. The soldiers fell in quickly.
See also: fall
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
fall in
1. Take one's place in formation or in the ranks, as in The sergeant ordered the troops to fall in. A related expression is fall into, as in They all fell into their places. [Early 1600s] Also see fall into.
2. Sink inward, cave in, as in The snow was so heavy that we feared the roof would fall in. [Early 1700s] Also see under drop in; the subsequent idioms beginning with fall in; fall into.
See also: fall
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
fall in
v.
1. To take one's place in military formation, especially a line. Used of soldiers: The troops fell in immediately upon the command of their sergeant.
2. To sink inward; cave in: Under the weight of the snow, the roof of the old barn finally fell in.
3. fall in with To become associated with some group of people: They fell in with the wrong crowd and were eventually arrested for armed robbery.
See also: fall
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- fall in(to)
- fall into
- give in
- buckle under
- plunge from
- plunge from (something)
- stave
- stave in
- staves
- more holes than Swiss cheese