Phrase guide

fall in

verb · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To collapse inwards.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • The heavy rain caused the roof to fall in.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Of a soldier, to get into position in a rank.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Topics: government, military, politics, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Of a soldier, to get into position in a rank.

To take a position.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Topics: government, military, politics, war

Examples

  • At that point, the Subaru fell in behind the Toyota.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To come to an end; to terminate; to lapse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • On the death of Mr. B., the annuity, which he had so long received, fell in.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To become operative.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

break down, literally or metaphorically

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The wall collapsed
  • The business collapsed
  • The dam broke
  • The roof collapsed
  • The wall gave in
  • The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: collapse, cave in, give, give way, break, founder

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change

Narrower terms: implode, go off, buckle, crumple, flop, break, slump, slide down, sink

7

verb

Meaning 7

to take one's place in a military formation or line

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Troops fall in!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He joined the Communist Party as a young man

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: join, get together

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: sign up, band oneself, league together, unionize, unionise, organize, organise, affiliate, rejoin, infiltrate, penetrate, unite, unify

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: luhistua — to collapse inwards
  • Finnish: romahtaa — to collapse inwards
  • German: einfallen — to collapse inwards
  • Finnish: järjestyä riviin — military: to get into position in a rank
  • Russian: станови́ться в стро́й (stanovítʹsja v strój) — military: to get into position in a rank
  • Russian: стро́иться (stróitʹsja) — military: to get into position in a rank
  • Thai: จัดแถว (jàt-tɛ̌ɛo) — military: to get into position in a rank