fall behind

Meaning

To fail to keep up with a pace, schedule, or level of progress. It is often used when discussing schoolwork, bills, or physical races. The tone is neutral but usually implies a stressful or undesirable situation.

Examples

• If you don't study every day, you will quickly fall behind in this class.

  If you don't study every day, you will quickly fall behind in this class.

• She had to work late because she fell behind on her weekly reports.

  She had to work late because she fell behind on her weekly reports.

• We can't afford to fall behind schedule on this project.

  We can't afford to fall behind schedule on this project.

• During the marathon, he started to fall behind the lead runners.

  During the marathon, he started to fall behind the lead runners.

• I fell behind on my rent last month, so I need to pay double now.

  I fell behind on my rent last month, so I need to pay double now.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I fell behind of my studies.

  ✓ I fell behind in my studies.

  We use 'fall behind in' or 'fall behind on' followed by a noun, not 'fall behind of'.

• ✗ She fell behind from the rest of the group.

  ✓ She fell behind the rest of the group.

  Do not use 'from' after 'fall behind' when indicating the group or pace you are lagging behind.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you miss too many classes, you will ___ in your studies.

  💡 To fail to maintain the same progress as others.

  Show answer

  fall behind

• I don't want to ___ on my mortgage payments.

  💡 To fail to make payments on time.

  Show answer

  fall behind