fall back on (someone or something)

fall back on (someone or something)

To depend on someone or something that one has kept in reserve. With all of these medical bills, I just don't have any more money to fall back on. We can fall back on a few other babysitters if Jane can't make it.

See also: back, fall, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

fall back on(to) someone or something

 

1. . Lit. to fallback-wards onto someone or something. She stumbled and fell back onto the lady behind her. She fell back on the couch.

2. Fig. to begin to use someone or something held in reserve. We fell back on our savings to get us through the hardtimes. We had to fall back on our emergency generator.

See also: back, fall, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

fall back on

Also, fall back upon. Rely on, have recourse to, as in I fall back on old friends in time of need, or When he lost his job he had to fall back upon his savings. [Mid-1800s]

See also: back, fall, on

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.