phrasal verb · neutral
fall behind (in)
UK/fɔːl bɪˈhaɪnd (ɪn)/US/fɔl bɪˈhaɪnd (ɪn)/fall·be·HIND
to be slower than others or not to reach the expected standard or schedule
Examples
“If you miss too many classes you'll fall behind in the course.”
“He fell behind with his assignments after changing jobs.”
“Students who don't practice regularly risk falling behind.”
Band 8 sentence
“He fell behind in the second term after missing several tutorials, so he had to take remedial classes.”
Collocations
- fall behind in class/course/studies
- fall behind with assignments
- risk falling behind
Word family
Common mistakes
fall behind from→fall behind in / fall behind with
fell behind→fall behind
Say it for a higher band
5be late with work→6lag behind→7+fall behind (in)
Synonyms
lag behind
be left behind
Easily confused
keep up with
“It's hard to keep up with all the new lecture material.”
catch up with
“She worked hard to catch up with the rest of the class.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Study
Learn it with its set