1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To be classified or included within a particular category, heading, or type.
"This type of fraud falls under the category of white-collar crime."
inseparable
fall under
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To be classified within a category, heading, or area of authority.
In plain English
To belong to a particular group, type, or area that someone is responsible for.
What does "fall under" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic formal
To be within the authority, responsibility, or jurisdiction of a person, department, or law.
"Complaints about online advertising fall under the remit of the relevant regulatory authority."
inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic neutral
To come under the influence or spell of something or someone.
"Several senators fell under the lobbyist's influence during the lengthy campaign."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fall below and underneath something — being subordinate to or covered by it.
Actually means
To belong to a particular group, type, or area that someone is responsible for.
Usage tip
Common in formal, administrative, legal, and academic contexts. Used to assign something to a category ('this falls under criminal law') or to place it within someone's responsibility ('this falls under your remit'). More formal than 'fall into'.
Words that pair with "fall under"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
category heading jurisdiction authority remit umbrella scrutiny
How to conjugate "fall under"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fall under
I/you/we/they
3rd person
falls under
he/she/it
Past simple
fell under
yesterday
Past participle
fallen under
have + pp
-ing form
falling under
continuous
Hear "fall under" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "fall under" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "fall under"
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Keep exploring
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