"Fall through" is predominantly used in informal contexts, often indicating that a plan, deal, or arrangement has failed to materialize or collapse before being completed. For example, one might say, "Our vacation plans fell through at the last minute." This phrasal verb is commonly used to describe situations where expectations are not met or efforts do not succeed, often unexpectedly and to the disappointment of those involved. While it can occasionally appear in more formal contexts, particularly in business settings to describe deals or negotiations that do not proceed as intended, its use remains more prevalent in everyday conversational English. It is a versatile phrase that can be applied to various scenarios, from personal plans to professional agreements, signaling a breakdown in processes or expectations.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. If something such as a plan or agreement falls through, it fails to happen.
The sale of the company fell through at the last minute.
Our vacation plans fell through because of the pandemic.
The merger deal between the two companies fell through.