# fall off

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fall-off
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to drop from

phrasal verb · CEFR A2

to become detached and drop from a higher place or surface.

For teachers: to become detached from a surface or to drop from a position of support. Intransitive or transitive depending on whether the surface is mentioned.

- Be careful not to let your phone fall off the edge of the table.
- The old tiles began to fall off the roof after the severe storm, creating a hazard for anyone walking near the building.

### 2. to decrease

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to become less in amount, number, or quality.

For teachers: to diminish in quantity, intensity, or quality. Intransitive in this sense.

- Attendance at the club started to fall off during the winter months.
- The quality of the manufacturer's output has fallen off significantly since they switched to cheaper raw materials last year.

### 3. sailing

phrasal verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to change the direction of a boat to move more with the wind.

For teachers: to steer a vessel further away from the direction of the wind. Intransitive usage.

- The captain told the crew to fall off to catch the breeze.
- As the gust hit, the helmsman had to fall off quickly to prevent the boat from heeling over too far.

### 4. a reduction

noun · CEFR B2

a decrease in the amount or number of something.

For teachers: a reduction or decline in quantity, quality, or activity. Often written as one word 'falloff'.

- There has been a sharp fall off in sales since the new tax was introduced.
- Economists are concerned about the sudden fall off in consumer spending, which could signal a broader market slowdown.

## Examples

- A button falls off my coat.
- Be careful on that ladder or you might fall off and hurt yourself.
- The ancient plaster, weakened by years of damp, began to fall off the walls in large, crumbling sheets.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: Contrast with the general verb 'fall'; 'fall off' specifically means to fall from a surface (a horse, a cliff, a wall).

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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.