Phrasal verb
fall back
Military
Definition
phrasal verb. to move back or retreat, often because you are being attacked or forced to leave a position.
phrasal verb. to retreat or withdraw, typically in a military context or under pressure from an opposing force; can also describe a decrease in value or position.
Examples
“The soldiers had to fall back when they ran out of ammunition.”
“As the protesters pushed forward, the police line was forced to fall back toward the station.”
“After the initial surge in stock prices, the market began to fall back as investors grew cautious about the upcoming quarterly reports.”
Examples
simple
“The soldiers had to fall back when they ran out of ammunition.”
contextual
“As the protesters pushed forward, the police line was forced to fall back toward the station.”
complex
“After the initial surge in stock prices, the market began to fall back as investors grew cautious about the upcoming quarterly reports.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fall back” in context.
Verb
01. fall back and regroup
“The team decided to fall back and regroup before launching a second attempt at the summit.”
verb + and + verb
02. force the enemy to fall back
“Our heavy artillery fire eventually forced the enemy to fall back from their front-line trenches.”
verb + noun + infinitive
03. order the troops to fall back
“The commander realized they were outnumbered and ordered the troops to fall back to the forest.”
verb + noun + infinitive
Adverb
04. fall back in good order
“Despite the surprise attack, the battalion managed to fall back in good order to their secondary base.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
05. fall back under heavy fire
“The soldiers had to fall back under heavy fire, taking cover behind the stone walls.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
06. slowly fall back
“The defensive line began to slowly fall back as the pressure from the attackers intensified.”
adv + verb
Usage
usually used without a direct object when meaning to retreat.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'fall back on', which requires an object and means to use something as a backup plan; 'fall back' is the physical or metaphorical movement away.
Pitfall
The army fell back the hill.
The army fell back from the hill.
in the sense of retreating, 'fall back' is intransitive and cannot take a direct object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
back
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
fall + back
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
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