ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fall through the cracks

idiom
Meaning

To be missed; to escape the necessary notice or attention.


Examples
SIMPLE

Some emails fall through the cracks when I'm busy.

CONTEXTUAL

The old man lived alone for months until someone noticed he had fallen through the cracks of the social services system.

COMPLEX

In the chaos of the merger, several promising junior employees fell through the cracks, their talents overlooked by managers focused on senior staff.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all it's cracked up to be

    As good as claims or reputation would suggest.

  2. 02

    catch a falling knife

    To buy a financial instrument whose price is falling rapidly.

  3. 03

    crack a crust

    To make a living.

  4. 04

    crack a fat

    To get an erection of the penis.

  5. 05

    crack a smile

    To smile, especially while attempting not to.

  6. 06

    crack down

    To take harsh action (against), as when enforcing a law more stringently than before.

  7. 07

    crack of dawn

    The first moment of daylight; the instant at which sunrise begins.

  8. 08

    crack through

    To penetrate

Last updated April 17, 2026