fall down

verb

1. to drop suddenly or collapse
2. informal.
   often foll by on to prove unsuccessful; fail

Idioms and Phrases

Fail to meet expectations; lag in performance. For example, It was disappointing to see him fall down on the job . This expression transfers a literal drop to a figurative one. [Second half of 1800s]

Related Words

• bumble
• careen
• fall
• falter
• flounder
• hesitate
• limp
• lumber
• lurch
• shuffle
• swing
• waver
• wobble