# fall out

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fall-out
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to have a serious argument with someone and stop being friends with them.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He fell out his friend." but "He fell out with his friend." — the preposition 'with' is required to connect the phrasal verb to the person involved.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.