fall behind — fail to keep up
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To not make as much progress as others or as expected, so that you are behind in work, studies, payments, or other activities.
Say it like a native
Textbook I have failed to maintain the expected pace with my coursework.
Native I've fallen behind with my coursework.
'Fall behind' is the everyday verb for not keeping up; the formal version is a tutor's report.
Pattern: fall behind (in/on/with something)
In use
- If you miss too many classes, you might fall behind in your studies.study
- During busy exam periods, some students fall behind on their assignments because they have too much to do at once.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I fell behind of the others in class.
✓ I fell behind the others in class. / fell behind with my work.
'Fall behind' + person (no 'of'); 'fall behind WITH' a task.
Common collocations
fall behind (with/on)— with work, on payments, the others, in class
Don't confuse it
'Keep up' means to stay at the same level or progress as others, while 'fall behind' means you are not.