fall out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Have an argument and stop being friends
Why “out”? Movement goes from inside to outside.
“They fell out over money.”
“The sisters fell out over the house.”
Don't confuse with
Fall out means argue and stop being friends. Fall off means become lower in number or quality.
Test yourself
“They fell out over money.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
fall off
A contrast learners often mix up
Decrease in number, level or quality
ask out
Same out pattern: departure
Invite someone on a romantic date
branch out
Same out pattern: departure
Start doing something new or different; (of a road, river or organisation) split off in a new direction; Become independent and start your own venture
burst out
Same out pattern: departure
Suddenly start crying, laughing or shouting; Say something suddenly and forcefully; Leave a place suddenly and forcefully; (of a sound or song) suddenly begin loudly
check out
Same out pattern: departure
Leave a hotel after paying; Look at or examine
get out
Same out pattern: departure
Leave a room, car or building; Become known publicly, often by accident; Go out socially; Manage to escape from a situation; Remove a stain or mark from something; Produce or manage to say words; Publish or release something to the public
hang out
Same out pattern: departure
Spend time in a relaxed way, often with friends
head out
Same out pattern: departure
Set off toward somewhere
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “fall out”.
Practice “fall out” in Sink In
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