fall in with (someone or something)

1. To begin to spend time with a certain person or group. I'm really worried that my son has fallen in with a bad crowd—his new friends seem like real troublemakers. If you can fall in with the most powerful politicians in the country, it will advance your career tremendously. I think I've fallen in with the popular girls? I don't know, they just started hanging out with me one day.

2. To meet and get to know someone, especially unexpectedly. I've fallen in with the loveliest women at that book club I've started going to. A: "Ugh, just because I'm single doesn't mean I like going out to bars on the weekend." B: "Yeah, but you never know who you might fall in with there." Wait, how did you fall in with Gary? He's my cousin!

3. To agree or peacefully coexist with. She keeps fighting with her boyfriend because her beliefs just don't fall in with his. If your thinking doesn't fall in with their corporate culture, watch out. That's why I resigned. Because your teaching philosophy falls in with Alice's, I think you two should work together on planning the fall curriculum.

See also: fall

fall in with someone or something

to become involved with someone or a group. I'm afraid that he fell in with the wrong kind of friends. John fell in with Max, who had served time in prison.

See also: fall

fall in with something

to concur with something; to harmonize with something. We had to fall in with her wishes. The statement falls in exactly with my view.

See also: fall

fall in with

1. Agree with, be in harmony with, as in We happily fell in with his plans. [First half of 1600s]

2. Associate with, become acquainted with (especially by chance), as in On the cruise we fell in with a couple from Boston. [Late 1500s]

See also: fall

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

fall in with

1. To agree with or be in harmony with: Their views fall in with ours.

2. To associate or begin to associate with: fell in with the wrong crowd.

See also: fall

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also: