Phrasal verb
fall through
Definition
phrasal verb. to fail to happen or be completed, especially a plan or a deal. You use this when something you expected to work out doesn't happen in the end.
phrasal verb. to fail to occur or be successfully concluded. Intransitive — the subject is typically an abstract noun representing a plan, agreement, or negotiation.
Examples
“My weekend plans fell through because I got sick.”
“The house sale fell through after the survey revealed significant structural issues with the roof.”
“Despite months of intensive diplomatic negotiations, the peace treaty fell through when one party refused to sign the final clause.”
Examples
simple
“My weekend plans fell through because I got sick.”
contextual
“The house sale fell through after the survey revealed significant structural issues with the roof.”
complex
“Despite months of intensive diplomatic negotiations, the peace treaty fell through when one party refused to sign the final clause.”
Usage
This phrase is intransitive, meaning it does not take a direct object.
Teaching tip
Contrast this with 'go through' and emphasize that the plan or deal itself must be the subject of the sentence.
Pitfall
The rain fell through our picnic.
Our picnic fell through because of the rain.
'Fall through' is intransitive; the plan itself must be the subject, not the cause of the failure.
Phrasal verb
Particles
through
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
subject + fall + through
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
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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