Phrasal verb
fall out
Meanings
To argue with someone and become unfriendly or stop speaking.
To come loose and drop from a place; to stop fitting properly.
Definition
To fall out means to have a quarrel and stop being friendly with someone.
When people fall out, they argue and their relationship becomes unfriendly for a time. It often happens between friends, family members, or coworkers after a disagreement. You can also use it for things that stop being in the right place or position, like hair or teeth.
Examples
- I fell out with my roommate over the cleaning schedule.
- You’ll fall out with your neighbors if you keep playing loud music at night.
- He fell out with his best friend after a misunderstanding at school.
- She fell out with her sister during the holiday trip.
- Their plans fell out when the venue canceled at the last minute.
Common mistake
Learners often forget to use “with” for the relationship meaning and say “fall out someone” instead of “fall out with someone.”
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.