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fall down

A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To drop to the floor, or to fail at one particular part of something.

Literal meaning: To fall in a downward direction — physically dropping to a lower level.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To fall to the ground from a standing or upright position.

"The child fell down on the playground and scraped her knee."

Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral

Of a structure: to collapse or crumble.

"Several walls fell down during the earthquake and had to be completely rebuilt."

"London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down."

— Traditional English nursery rhyme, 'London Bridge Is Falling Down', c. 17th century.
Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

Of a plan, argument, or idea: to fail or be weak at a particular point.

"The proposal is creative, but it falls down when you look at the projected costs."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

In its literal sense, very common and transparent. In its figurative sense ('where the plan falls down'), it pinpoints a specific weakness rather than total failure. British English tends to use 'fall down on' for the figurative sense.

Commonly used with

stairs ground plan argument idea proposal building

Forms

Base
fall down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
falls down
he/she/it
Past simple
fell down
yesterday
Past participle
fallen down
have + pp
-ing form
falling down
continuous

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Synonyms

collapse topple drop crumple keel over fail

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