fall off sth
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. To accidentally become separated from something and drop. For example, you can fall off a bike, a horse, or a ladder.
phrasal verb. 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.
Be careful you don't fall off the ladder.
The child was learning to ride his new bike and kept falling off.
As the autumn winds grew stronger, the last few withered leaves finally fell off the ancient oak tree.
- tumble off
- drop from
- get on
- climb onto
- stay on
- Particles
- off
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- fall + off + object
This is often used for people on bikes, horses, or chairs, or for objects on shelves and tables.
Contrast with 'fall down' (to collapse from a standing position) and 'fall over' (to topple from an upright position).
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.
Last updated April 24, 2026