fall behind

phrase

Synonyms of fall behindnext
1
: to lag behind
The slower hikers fell behind the group.
2
: to be in arrears
He fell behind in his car payments.

Examples of fall behind in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But, if the Brewers fall behind in the series, they could be faced with coming back behind the likes of ex-Dodger Dustin May and rookie Robert Gasser. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Vela, who works a warehouse job, moved into an apartment with the help of a local nonprofit that is not associated with the hub, but she’s now fallen behind on rent and is facing eviction. — Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2026 Yet the proportion of Americans struggling with high debt payments and falling behind on their debt payments jumped, a sign of the toll that sharply higher inflation has taken on lower-income Americans. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 Dallas fell behind 27-0 in the second quarter, capped by a 64-yard pick-six off quarterback Dak Prescott. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fall behind

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fall behind was in 1652

Rhymes for fall behind

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Browse Nearby Words

fall back on
fall behind
fall between two stools
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fall behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fall%20behind. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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