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fall out

B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To drop out of something, or to have a fight with a friend and stop getting along.

Literal meaning: To fall from inside something, coming out through an opening.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To drop or come out of a container or from a fixed position.

"A receipt fell out of his jacket pocket when he hung it up."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To quarrel with someone, resulting in a damaged or ended relationship.

"The two sisters fell out over their mother's will and haven't spoken in years."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

Military: to leave a formation or be dismissed from ranks.

"After the parade, the officer ordered the troops to fall out."

Grammar: inseparable
4 B1 neutral

Of hair or teeth: to come out of the body.

"Her hair started to fall out during the chemotherapy treatment."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

In British English, 'fall out' is the standard expression for a quarrel that damages a friendship. The quarrel sense is informal and very common. It also has a military sense (the opposite of 'fall in') meaning to leave a formation. The physical sense is neutral and transparent.

Commonly used with

friends family teeth hair formation a dispute pocket

Forms

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

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Synonyms

quarrel argue fall out with have a row drop tumble out

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