Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
fall on one's face. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
fall on one's face, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
fall on one's face in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
fall on one's face you have here. The definition of the word
fall on one's face will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
fall on one's face, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Verb
fall on one's face (third-person singular simple present falls on one's face, present participle falling on one's face, simple past fell on one's face, past participle fallen on one's face)
- (idiomatic) To fail, especially in a dramatic or particularly decisive manner.
1976 May 3, “Power Switch Hitters”, in Time:Judge Charles R. Richey last week tried to apply some firm rules of law to such indelicate situations. He came close to succeeding, then fell on his face.
1988 August 25, Jesus Rangel, “Mob Trial Going to Jury Today in Jersey”, in New York Times, retrieved 5 Aug. 2009:But defense lawyers have compared the case to a "trashy novel" in which the Government presented plenty of gossip, hearsay and innuendo but little credible evidence. . . . "I think the Government fell on their face," said Michael Critchley.
2008, Jeff Shaara, The Rising Tide: A Novel of World War II, →ISBN, page 44:[O]thers grumbled, questioning whether this man knew anything about fighting in the desert or was simply a strutting martinet who, once he was confronted with the tactical brilliance of Rommel, would fall on his face like so many before him. Unfortunately, if Montgomery failed, he would no doubt take a good part of the Eighth Army with him.
Antonyms