fall into

phrasal verb

fell into; fallen into; falling into; falls into

1

: to go down quickly into (something)

She fell into the swimming pool.

2

: to pass to (a less active or less desirable state or condition)

This word has fallen into disuse.

His theories have now fallen into disrepute/disfavor.

The machinery has fallen into disrepair.

3

: to belong in (a particular category or range)

His creative output falls into three distinct categories.

4

: to be caught in (a trap)

We fell into a trap.

5

: to begin to do or experience (something) or to be affected by (something) without wanting or trying to

He fell deeply into debt.

She fell into her career almost accidentally.

She fell into the habit of going out for ice cream every night.

Examples of fall into in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the two-story, 1.1-million-square-foot mall fell into receivership in 2021 after failing to pay its debts. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2025

First famous for containing an icon of the Virgin Mary said to be painted by the Apostle Luke, the monastery fell into ruin multiple times before being enlarged and restored in the sixth century. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025

Officials believe there are no survivors after a passenger plane with 64 people aboard crashed into an Army helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport and fell into the frigid Potomac River. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025

While the euro area has fallen into stagnation, the U.S. economy has continued to grow at a solid clip in the higher interest rate environment, and many investors are optimistic on the 2025 outlook despite Trump uncertainty. —Jenni Reid, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2025