End up (somewhere/doing something)

[1354] Fall through

🎲 Get away with (something)
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • When a plan, arrangement, or deal fails to happen or be completed successfully.

Origin

  • Evokes the image of something solid (a plan, like a floor or bridge) collapsing or breaking, so one 'falls through' where support was expected.
  • The idea is that the foundation or structure of the arrangement failed.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Fail
  • Collapse (for deals/plans)
  • Come to nothing
  • Not materialize
  • Be cancelled
  • Go pear-shaped (UK/Aus informal go wrong)
  • Go belly up (informal fail completely, often financially)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Go down the drain
  • Bite the dust (fail, cease to exist)
  • Tank (fail completely, often financially or in performance)
  • Fizzle out (lose momentum and fail)
  • Go tits up (UK/Aus vulgar slang fail completely)

Vulgar/Emphatic (expressing frustration):

  • The whole damn deal fell through!
  • Everything went to shit. (Implying failure)

Milder/Formal:

  • Did not proceed
  • Was unsuccessful
  • Failed to materialize

Situational Appropriateness

  • Neutral.
  • Common in informal and semi-formal contexts. Also acceptable in many business contexts when discussing failed plans or deals.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Fairly straightforward. Ensure learners understand it refers to plans/arrangements failing, not a physical fall.

Examples

  • Our plans to go camping fell through because of the bad weather.
  • The sale of the house fell through at the last minute.
  • We were going to collaborate on a project, but it fell through.

Dialogue

Chris: Hey, are you still going to the concert on Friday?

Dana: No, unfortunately, the trip fell through. My friend who was driving got sick.

Chris: Oh, that's a real bummer! I was looking forward to hearing about it.

Dana: Yeah, me too. Maybe next time.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Urgh, my weekend plans just fell through. Anyone got any last-minute suggestions for things to do? #bored #planB
  • Facebook Update: Sad news the funding for the community project fell through. We're looking for alternative options. #community #fundraising
  • LinkedIn Post: Unfortunately, the merger deal fell through due to regulatory hurdles. We remain focused on our core business.

Response Patterns

  • Sympathy/Disappointment: Oh no, that's too bad. / What a shame. / Sorry to hear that.
  • Inquiry: Really? What happened? / Why did it fall through?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing something fell through:

  • Express sympathy.
  • Ask for the reason: What went wrong? / Why did it happen?
  • Discuss alternative plans: So what are you doing instead? / Will you try again?

Conversation Starter

  • No. Usually used to report a negative outcome, not to start a conversation.

Intonation

  • Stress usually falls on FELL (or FALL) and THROUGH.
  • The plans FELL THROUGH.

Generation Differences

  • Used by all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
End up (somewhere/doing something)
🎲 Get away with (something)