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fall over

A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To fall to the side and end up on the ground.

Literal meaning: To fall in a sideways or tipping motion — going over to one side.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To lose balance and fall to the ground, often by tripping on something.

"She fell over a loose paving stone and twisted her ankle."

Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral

Of an object: to tip sideways and land on its side.

"The bookcase wasn't secured to the wall and fell over in the earthquake."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Very common and transparent in its physical sense. Often implies tripping over an object ('fall over the cat') or simply losing balance. Also used of objects tipping over. In the sense of 'fall over oneself', a separate expression.

Commonly used with

trip stumble toy dog feet furniture vase bike

Forms

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

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Synonyms

topple tip over stumble tumble trip keel over

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