fall out

Meaning

To have a serious argument or disagreement with someone, resulting in a damaged relationship or a period of not talking. It is commonly followed by the preposition 'with' to specify the person.

Examples

• They used to be best friends, but they fell out over something silly.

  They used to be best friends, but they fell out over something silly.

• I don't want to fall out with you over money.

  I don't want to fall out with you over money.

• Have you two fallen out again?

  Have you two fallen out again?

• She fell out with her sister last year and they haven't spoken since.

  She fell out with her sister last year and they haven't spoken since.

• It's easy to fall out with roommates when you live in a small space.

  It's easy to fall out with roommates when you live in a small space.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I fell out my friend yesterday.

  ✓ I fell out with my friend yesterday.

  If you mention the person you had an argument with, you must include the preposition 'with' after 'fall out'.

• ✗ We had a fall out last night.

  ✓ We had a falling-out last night.

  'Fall out' is the verb. The noun form meaning an argument is 'falling-out' (or sometimes 'fallout', though 'fallout' usually refers to the negative aftermath of an event).

Related Expressions

Practice

• I don't want to ___ with my best friend over a silly mistake.

  💡 A phrasal verb meaning to argue and stop talking to someone.

  Show answer

  fall out

• Have you and Sarah ___ again?

  💡 Use the past participle form of the phrasal verb.

  Show answer

  fallen out