fall over
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle over
Meanings
Topple from an upright position to the ground
Why “over”? The top moves to the bottom. The object turns over.
“He tripped and fell over.”
“The chair fell over in the wind.”
“The old sign fell over during the storm.”
Try very eagerly to do something ("fall over yourself")
“They fell over themselves to please her.”
“The staff fell over themselves to help the guest.”
Don't confuse with
Fall over means topple from an upright position to the ground. Fall off means decrease in number, level or quality.
Test yourself
“He tripped and fell over.” 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
boil over
Same over pattern: flip
(of liquid) Overflow while boiling
bowl over
Same over pattern: flip
Make someone fall, or astonish them completely
flip over
Same over pattern: flip
Rotate quickly to the other side
keel over
Same over pattern: flip
Fall sideways suddenly, especially because of illness or shock
knock over
Same over pattern: flip
Cause something to fall by hitting it; Hit a person with a vehicle, knocking them down
push over
Same over pattern: flip
Push something so it falls on its side
roll over
Same over pattern: flip
Turn by rotating sideways
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