Oh, fall. That colorful season that brings cooler weather, bright leaves, pumpkin everything, and the start of a busy holiday season here in the United States. Typically, I am not a fan (*I don’t like*) fall because I love the heat, the beach, the sun, and everything that relates to summer! This year is different though, it’s one of the first times I am so excited to welcome the fall season. So, with my excitement is a lesson for you full of English Idioms with FALL to read and enjoy!

I want to clarify that these idioms are not related to fall, or the season, they just have the word fall in them. I also want to note that fall is a common American English word. If you’ve been studying British English, you have heard the term autumn used. However, they are the same thing.

To begin this lesson, I encourage you to watch the 5 Minute English video below. This video is the first part of today’s English lesson.  You will practice listening comprehension and hear the idioms, definitions and examples. Practice note-taking by writing down what you hear and then fill in those notes (*add more*) with the second part of the [written] lesson below.

Are you ready to fall in love with these new idioms? Then, hit play and let’s begin!

*BONUS IDIOM: to fall in love- to begin to love (really admire/like) someone or something. [Although it’s often used with people, it can be used figuratively with objects, too]

English Idioms with Fall

to fall into the wrong hands: when someone bad or dangerous gets control or possession of something (an object, information, etc..)

• The police were worried that the information fell into the wrong hands.  [This means that the police were worried that someone dangerous got control or possession and could use the information negatively]
• If the weapons fall into the wrong hands, then it could be very dangerous for the country.
• Unfortunately, Taylor’s secret fell into the wrong hands and now everyone knows about it.

to fall into someone’s lap: when something happens unexpectedly, without a plan, and without making any effort

• John expected a good job to just fall into his lap. [This means he expected it to happen without planning or putting forth effort]
• I didn’t expect this job, it just fell into my lap. [I didn’t plan it, I didn’t put effort it just happened unexpectedly]
• A large amount of money just fell into Jessica’s lap because a great-great aunt had passed away and left it to her.

to fall between/through the cracks: when someone or something is ignored, neglected, or just overlooked

• The employee made the mistake because the problem fell through the cracks with all of the issues going on that week. [This means that the employee overlooked or ignored the problem because there were other problems happening and the problem was missed]
• It’s easy for children in large public schools to fall between the cracks because there are many different students that have different needs [It’s easy for these children to get ignored because there are so many other children that need attention as well]
• I shared a great idea with my boss last week, I hope it doesn’t fall through the cracks.

to fall into place: when things happen in a very organized, easy and successful way without any issues

• The team was nervous about the new project but everything fell into place. [This means that the project finished/ended/happened in a way that was successful with no problems]
• The wedding planner had so much to do to prepare for the big day; however, in the end, everything fell into place and the wedding was beautiful. [The wedding happened and everything took place successfully with no problems]
• Even though I was nervous about finding a new job, everything has finally fallen into place.

to fall into line: when someone starts to do what is required or necessary by someone like a company or organization; when people start to do what they’re told to do

• Tim’s company started new rules this year, and it was very difficult for everybody to fall into line. [This means it was difficult for everyone to do what they needed to do with these new rules, it was difficult for them to do what they were told]
• People in the army are expected to immediately fall in line with their supervisor’s orders. [People in the army are expected to immediately start listening and doing what they’re told and required to do by supervisors]
• The children were behaving very badly and seemed like they would never fall in line.

Practice Exercises and Questions

Fill in the blanks with the correct idioms. See the answers below.

(*NOTE: pay attention to the sentence structure and time tenses, you may use the infinitive or need to change to a different time tense*)

1. I wanted everything ______________ with my musical performance, but I didn’t feel very confident about it.
2. Pete lost a letter with very personal information and was scared it ______________.
3. It took a lot of patience and discipline, but Mrs. Roger’s students finally _________ and started listening.
4. She tries to not let any of her employee’s questions __________, because they are all equally important.
5. Tim doesn’t think anything will ever ________ because he doesn’t think he’s lucky enough.

Use these conversation questions to practice in your classroom, with your students/teacher, or with a conversational English partner.

1. Has anything ever fallen into your lap? If yes, explain what it was.
2. What’s the last situation that everything seemed to fall into place when you thought it wouldn’t?
3. Why is it important for employees to fall into line at work?
4. Talk about an object you own that you don’t want to fall into the wrong hands. Use as much detail as possible.
5. Have you ever accidentally let something important fall through the cracks? If yes, talk about it.

Alright, don’t forget to check the answers of the fill in the blank exercise below! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments.

Also, if you liked this lesson please share it was a friend, teacher, or colleague. Help me…help others! Thank you

Until next time,

Happy Studying! ♥

ANSWERS TO THE FILL IN THE BLANK QUESTIONS

to fall into place

fell into the wrong hands

fell in/into line

fall between/through the cracks

fall into his lap

You may also like this FALL post:

Phrasal Verb Friday: FALL