fall behind
not move or progress as fast as others or as needed
What does "fall behind" mean?
Examples
- If you don't study regularly, you'll fall behind in the course.
- She has fallen behind on her mortgage payments and is worried about losing her home.
- Several students fell behind during the lockdown and needed extra support to catch up.
How to use it
Used without any object when the context already makes clear what is being compared or what the standard is.
If you stop practising, you'll fall behind.
Use 'on' to specify the task, payment, or deadline where progress has slipped — this is the most common pattern, especially in American English.
The contractor fell behind on the project deadlines and had to work overtime.
Use 'with' in the same way as 'on', but this is more common in British English, particularly with payments or rent.
They fell behind with the rent after one of them lost their job.
Use 'in' when referring to a subject, field, or broader area of development rather than a specific task or payment.
The country risks falling behind in renewable energy technology.
Use this pattern to say that someone is lagging behind a specific competitor, group, or standard — the person or group follows 'behind' directly.
Our sales team has fallen behind our main rivals for the third quarter in a row.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
Learners often write 'fall behind the schedule' or 'fall behind the payments' when they mean to talk about lagging in those areas. Without a preposition, 'fall behind the schedule' reads as physically moving behind a schedule in space, not failing to meet it. Use 'fall behind on the schedule' or 'fall behind on payments' instead.
'Lag behind' is nearly synonymous but tends to sound more natural in formal, analytical writing — for example in economic reports comparing countries or industries. 'Fall behind' is more versatile but carries a slightly stronger sense of a sudden or problematic drop. In most everyday contexts, either works, but 'fall behind' is the more common choice in spoken English.
Because 'fall behind' is intransitive — it never takes a direct object — it cannot be made passive. You cannot say 'the deadline was fallen behind'. Use an active construction with a subject instead.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral and suits both spoken and written English. In British English, 'fall behind with' (e.g. with the rent, with payments) is common, while American English tends to prefer 'fall behind on'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I use 'on', 'with', or 'in' after 'fall behind'? What's the difference?
All three are correct, but they're used in slightly different ways. Use 'on' for specific tasks, deadlines, or payments (e.g. fall behind on rent, fall behind on a project) — this is especially common in American English. Use 'with' in the same way, but it's more common in British English (e.g. fall behind with the rent). Use 'in' when talking about a broader subject area or field (e.g. fall behind in maths, fall behind in development).
Can 'fall behind' be used without any object?
Yes, absolutely. You can say 'You'll fall behind' or 'The company started falling behind' with no further object, as long as the context makes it clear what the comparison or standard is. The bare intransitive form is very natural in conversation.
Does 'fall behind' always describe something negative?
In nearly all cases, yes. Falling behind implies that not keeping up is a problem — there is an expectation of pace, progress, or payment that is not being met. It often appears in warnings, advice, or news reports about difficulties. It would sound strange to use it in a neutral or positive way.
Can I use 'fall behind' to describe countries or companies, not just people?
Yes — this is one of the strengths of 'fall behind'. It works equally well for individuals, teams, businesses, and even countries. For example, you might read that a nation has fallen behind its neighbours in economic growth, or that a brand has fallen behind the competition in innovation. The phrase is very flexible in this regard.
Is 'fall behind' used differently in British and American English?
The phrasal verb itself is standard in both varieties, but the preposition that follows can differ slightly. British English speakers more often say 'fall behind with' (e.g. fall behind with the rent), while American English speakers tend to prefer 'fall behind on' (e.g. fall behind on payments). Both are widely understood and correct.
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