Phrasal verb
fall out
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
fall out
Past
fell out
Past participle
fallen out
Definition
phrasal verb. to have a serious argument with someone and stop being friends with them.
phrasal verb. to quarrel or disagree with someone, resulting in a breach in the relationship. The verb is intransitive and frequently collocates with the preposition 'with' to indicate the other party.
Examples
“They often fall out over small things.”
“After they fell out over money, they didn't speak to each other for nearly ten years.”
“The two business partners fell out following a series of irreconcilable disputes regarding the company's long-term strategic direction.”
Examples
simple
“They often fall out over small things.”
contextual
“After they fell out over money, they didn't speak to each other for nearly ten years.”
complex
“The two business partners fell out following a series of irreconcilable disputes regarding the company's long-term strategic direction.”
Usage
use 'with' for the person and 'over' for the topic of the argument.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'make up' to show the full cycle of a relationship conflict; 'fall out' focuses on the resulting distance rather than just the noise of the argument.
Pitfall
He fell out his friend.
He fell out with his friend.
the preposition 'with' is required to connect the phrasal verb to the person involved.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
fall + out (+ with + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- 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
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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