ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fall off sth

phr. v..
A2 Elementary Oxford

phr. v.. To accidentally become separated from something and drop. For example, you can fall off a bike, a horse, or a ladder.

phr. v.. To become detached from a surface or object and descend due to gravity. This verb and particle combination is followed by the object from which the subject falls.


SIMPLE

Be careful you don't fall off the ladder.

CONTEXTUAL

The child was learning to ride his new bike and kept falling off.

COMPLEX

As the autumn winds grew stronger, the last few withered leaves finally fell off the ancient oak tree.

Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
fall + off + object
Usage

This is often used for people on bikes, horses, or chairs, or for objects on shelves and tables.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'fall down' (to collapse from a standing position) and 'fall over' (to topple from an upright position).

Pitfall

He fell off from the horse.He fell off the horse.The particle 'off' already includes the meaning of separation, so an extra 'from' is not needed.

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