# take the fall

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/take-the-fall
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To willingly lose a match, as in a fixed fight.

## Examples

- The boxer agreed to take the fall in the third round.
- The manager pressured the athlete to take the fall, but he refused to lose the match on purpose.
- Despite his reputation for integrity, the veteran fighter ultimately chose to take the fall, sacrificing his professional honor to settle his mounting debts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.