1 C1 idiomatic formal
To become the responsibility or duty of a particular person.
"With the director on sick leave, it fell to his deputy to address the crisis."
inseparable
fall to
C1 formal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To begin doing something with energy, or to become someone's responsibility or duty.
In plain English
To suddenly start doing something, or to be something that a particular person must do.
What does "fall to" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
To begin doing something with energy or gusto (archaic/literary).
"Hungry after the long journey, the travelers fell to eating without a word."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fall downward toward something — descending upon a task or responsibility.
Actually means
To suddenly start doing something, or to be something that a particular person must do.
Usage tip
Both senses are somewhat formal or literary in modern usage. The 'begin energetically' sense ('they fell to eating') is largely archaic. The 'be someone's responsibility' sense ('it falls to me to') is still current in formal written English. Often seen in news and official contexts.
Words that pair with "fall to"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
task duty responsibility eating fighting work me us
How to conjugate "fall to"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fall to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
falls to
he/she/it
Past simple
fell to
yesterday
Past participle
fallen to
have + pp
-ing form
falling to
continuous
Hear "fall to" in the wild
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