fall in(to)

1. Literally, to drop or plummet into something. There are a lot of holes out there—be sure not to fall into any. We put up a fence around the pit so no one would accidentally fall in. Kids are digging holes all over this beach. You really have to be alert to avoid falling into one!

2. To collapse, crumble, or cave in. The firefighters were able to get those kids out of the house before the roof fell in. The weight of all that snow caused the roof to fall in on us. Years of water damage finally caused the drop ceiling in our dining room to fall in.

3. To plop onto or into something. Sarah fell into the passenger seat with a dramatic sigh and proceeded to tell me all about the latest gossip at school. I knocked over a few pillows when I fell into the armchair. He came in from work and fell into the sofa without a word.

4. To join a formation, as in the military. Troops, fall in! Fall in, soldier, or you'll be written up for insubordination! We watched the troops fall into some sort of military procession before leaving the field.

5. To begin walking at the same pace as someone else. If you don't fall into step with us, you'll get left behind. Would you stragglers please fall into step with your classmates? Pick up the pace! Once I saw some of my teammates leaving the gym, I ran and fell in with them.

6. To begin to participate in something with others. How did you end up falling into a lecture with Grandpa about the Farmers' Almanac? Please don't fall into an argument with Uncle Ned on Christmas, OK? Mrs. Smith, how did you get the cool kids to fall into Math Club?

7. To be able to be easily grouped or categorized in a particular way. The types of arguments that my family have on Thanksgiving fall into two basic categories: food-related and sports-related. A: "High school boys fall into two groups: nerds and jerks." B: "Well, that seems awfully reductive." Please tell me my illness falls into the "curable" category.

8. To become organized in a particular way. There were a lot of missteps along the way, but all of our plans have finally fallen into place. I know you're stressing over every last detail, but all of the important stuff will fall into place on your actual wedding day, believe me. Thanks to the interns' efforts, these files have fallen into alphabetical order.

9. To experience a significant, usually unpleasant, change in one's mood or emotional state. I always fall into a depressive state during the winter months. I think everyone falls into grief after a break-up. There's just no getting around it. I fell into a state of panic when I realized I'd left my wallet on the train.

10. To experience a significant, usually unpleasant, change in state. The classroom fell into chaos as soon as the teacher stepped into the hallway. Grandma's house fell into disrepair after she moved into the nursing home. The kids' rooms will fall into a sorry state if you don't remind them to tidy up regularly.

11. To obtain something, typically unexpectedly or with little effort. When my grandfather died, I ended up falling into a lot of money. Her uncle runs the company, so of course she just happened to fall into a job here. Believe me, I wouldn't own a house at 25 if I hadn't fallen into this one my dad left me.

fall into

1. Enter or engage in, be drawn into, as in I told Dad not to fall into conversation with them. [Late 1400s]

2. See fall in, def. 1.

3. Be naturally divisible into, as in These students fall into three categories. [First half of 1600s]

4. fall into error or sin . Be drawn into bad behavior, as in I fell into error when I started spending time with the wrong crowd. This usage, like fall from grace, originally alluded to religious concerns. It is now used less often and more loosely. [Late 1100s]

5. fall into a trap. Be deceived, unknowingly become involved in something. For example, By admitting I had free time, I fell into the trap of having to help him with his work . Also see under fall in; fall in line; fall in place.

fall into

1. To descend or drop freely or effortlessly into something: I was so tired that I went to my bedroom and fell into bed.

2. To come to assume a configuration, pattern, or order: The lines of text fell into neat rows. After a quick meeting, our plans fell into place.

3. To come upon, receive, or become involved with something, especially by chance: They fell into a lot of money unexpectedly, so they bought a new car.

4. To undergo a change of state or emotion, especially a negative change: I took one look at my class schedule and fell into a bad mood. The tenants complained when the apartment building fell into disrepair.