fall behind
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle behind
Meanings
Fail to keep pace with others
Why “behind”? One person or thing follows behind another on the same path.
“He fell behind in his studies.”
“The runner fell behind the main group.”
Of an item, be left forgotten or detached from a group
Why “behind”? Everyone else moves on. What stays behind is left there.
“A glove fell behind on the bus.”
“A toy fell behind in the taxi.”
Of a payment, become late or owed
“Her instalments fell behind.”
“The loan payments fell behind.”
Don't confuse with
Fall behind means fail to keep pace with others. Fall under means drop below an expected standard or value.
Test yourself
“He fell behind in his studies.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
fall under
A contrast learners often mix up
Drop below an expected standard or value; Belong to a particular category
drop behind
Same behind pattern: late
Lose your position relative to a group moving ahead
get behind
Same behind pattern: late
Become late with work, payments, or schedule; Support a person, idea, or cause
hold behind
Same behind pattern: leftover
Keep someone or something back from going forward
lag behind
Same behind pattern: late
Move or progress more slowly than others
leave behind
Same behind pattern: leftover
Forget or fail to take something with you when you go; Surpass someone in development or achievement; Depart from someone, ending a relationship or association
put behind
Same behind pattern: leftover
Treat a difficult experience as no longer relevant
remain behind
Same behind pattern: leftover
Stay in place when others move on
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