1 C1 informal
To trip or stumble while moving upward, especially on stairs.
"I managed to fall up the stairs again — my coffee didn't survive."
fall up
C1 informal intransitive
To move or stumble upward accidentally, or (figuratively) to advance despite apparent failure.
In plain English
To trip going up (like on stairs), or to accidentally get better results than expected.
What does "fall up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To advance or succeed despite making mistakes or failing in conventional ways.
"He kept falling up — every blunder seemed to land him a better job."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fall in an upward direction — physically paradoxical, which is part of its humorous appeal.
Actually means
To trip going up (like on stairs), or to accidentally get better results than expected.
Usage tip
Extremely rare and non-standard. Mostly used humorously or as a creative reversal of 'fall down.' In American slang, 'falling up' can describe someone who keeps getting promoted despite incompetence.
Words that pair with "fall up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
stairs ladder career success stumble
How to conjugate "fall up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fall up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
falls up
he/she/it
Past simple
fell up
yesterday
Past participle
fallen up
have + pp
-ing form
falling up
continuous
Hear "fall up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "fall up"
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