fall behind

To move or progress more slowly than others, leaving a growing distance between you.

• Don’t fall behind the group.
• I fell behind when the others started running.
• The project is falling behind because we need more workers.

How to use it: fall behind someone/something (The tired child fell behind the group.)

Similar words: lag behind, get behind

Opposites: catch up

Common phrases: fall behind someone, fall behind others

To stop making regular payments or completing regular tasks on time.

• We fell behind on our bills.
• He is falling behind with the rent again.
• Have you ever fallen behind on your mortgage payments?

How to use it: fall behind with something (She fell behind with her rent.); fall behind on something (They have fallen behind on their loan payments.)

Similar words: get behind

Opposites: catch up

Common phrases: fall behind financially, fall behind again

To do increasingly worse than other people or the standard expected.

• She is falling behind in science.
• Our team fell behind the others in overall performance.
• Without training, experienced workers can fall behind younger colleagues.

How to use it: fall behind in something (He is falling behind in mathematics.); fall behind someone/something (The company fell behind its competitors.)

Similar words: lag behind

Opposites: outperform

Common phrases: fall behind academically, fall behind competitors

To drop down through the air and land at the back of something.

• The coin fell behind the sofa.
• Did your keys fall behind the cupboard?
• Some books fell behind the bed when the shelf broke.

How to use it: fall behind something (A pencil fell behind the desk.)

Similar words: drop behind

Common phrases: fall behind furniture, fall behind something