idiom · neutral
fall by the wayside
UK/fɔːl baɪ ðə ˈweɪsaɪd/US/fɔl baɪ ðə ˈweɪsaɪd/WAY·side
to stop continuing an activity or plan, or for people to stop participating, often because of difficulties
Examples
“Many good initiatives fall by the wayside when funding runs out.”
“A lot of candidates fall by the wayside during the selection process.”
“People start fitness programmes every New Year, but many fall by the wayside after a few weeks.”
Band 8 sentence
“Many pilot programmes fall by the wayside once short‑term funding ends, which is why sustainability plans are essential.”
Collocations
- fall by the wayside when funding dries up
- fall by the wayside during the process
Word family
Common mistakes
Many projects fell by wayside.→Many projects fell by the wayside.
He fell by the wayside after two months.→He fell by the wayside after two months.
Say it for a higher band
5drop out→6give up→7+fall by the wayside
Synonyms
drop out
Easily confused
give up
“After trying for months, he finally gave up.”
Related words
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