fall over (oneself)
(redirected from falling over himself)fall over
1. To tip over and fall to the ground after having been upright. I don't know what happened—one minute, she was talking to me, and the next minute, she just fell over! I tried propping the frame up against the wall, but it must have fallen over.
2. To trip over something. How many times do I have to complain about falling over your toys before you finally clean them up?
3. To expend a lot of energy or effort to do something; to inconvenience oneself. I can't believe how ungrateful you're being, especially since we fell over ourselves planning this dinner party for you! Please don't fall over backward preparing for my visit—I'm totally prepared to sleep on your floor!
fall over (oneself)
To expend an inordinate amount of energy or effort to do something, especially as a means of gaining attention or approval. John is such a teacher's pet, falling over himself to impress Mrs. Smith. My parents fell over themselves trying to seem cool to my friends. It was pretty embarrassing, to be honest.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
fall over someone or something
to stumble over someone or something. Sam came into the house and fell over a kitchen chair. Walter fell over Roger, who was napping on the floor.
fall over
to topple over and fall down. The fence fell over and dented the car. I felt faint and almost fell over.
fall (all) over oneself (to do something)
Fig. to rush eagerly and awkwardly to do something. The boys fell all over themselves to open the door for Sarah. Larry fell over himself trying to help Sarah on with her coat.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
fall over
see under fall all over oneself.
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 over yourself
be excessively eager (to do something).Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
fall over
v.
1. To tip over; fall from an upright position to a flat one: The vase fell over after I bumped into the table.
2. To stumble over something or someone: I fell over the skates that you left on the stairs.
3. To attempt eagerly or frantically to accomplish something. Used reflexively: I fell over myself trying to please my guests.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
fall over (oneself)
To display inordinate, typically effusive, enthusiasm: fell over themselves to impress the general's wife.
fall over
backward/backwards To overexert oneself to do or accomplish something: We fell over backward to complete the project on time.
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.