fall back into
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To start doing something bad again that you had stopped doing.
Literal meaning: To fall backward and enter into something — physically re-entering a space.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To return to a former, usually negative, habit, routine, or state after a period of change.
"After six months of healthy eating, he fell back into his old junk food habits during the holiday season."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To resume a natural or familiar state, such as a language or way of speaking, without conscious effort.
"Despite living abroad for years, she fell back into her local dialect the moment she returned home."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Almost always used in a negative context — returning to bad habits, unhealthy patterns, or unproductive behaviours. The preposition 'into' signals the thing one is returning to.
Commonly used with
old habits a routine bad habits a pattern depression debt
Forms
Base
fall back into
I/you/we/they
3rd person
falls back into
he/she/it
Past simple
fell back into
yesterday
Past participle
fallen back into
have + pp
-ing form
falling back into
continuous
Understand "fall back into" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
revert to slip back into relapse into return to drift back into
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "fall back into" on Looplines