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fall for

B1 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To start having romantic feelings for someone, or to believe something that is not true.

Literal meaning: To fall in the direction of something — physically moving downward toward it.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To become strongly and romantically attracted to someone.

"He fell for her completely the moment she walked into the room."

"I fell for you the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once."

— Attributed to John Green, 'The Fault in Our Stars', 2012 (adapted from the falling asleep metaphor in the novel).
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To be deceived by a trick, a lie, or a scheme; to believe something false.

"I can't believe she fell for that phishing email — the address was obviously fake."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Has two very distinct meanings — romantic attraction and being deceived — which are usually clear from context. Both meanings are common and widely understood by native speakers. The 'deceived' sense is often used with 'trick', 'scam', 'lie', or 'line'.

Commonly used with

someone a trick a scam a lie charm a trap bait

Forms

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

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Synonyms

be attracted to be smitten with be taken in by be fooled by be deceived by be charmed by

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