fall down on

Drop the ball

To fall down on something is to fail at it or neglect it, especially a duty or responsibility: He's been falling down on the job lately.

The phrase suggests stumbling or collapsing where you should have stayed upright—a vivid image of inadequacy where competence was expected.

fail

neglect

Failure to provide care

  • shirkEvade one's obligations
  • botchSpoil through incompetence
  • bungleFail through clumsiness

fumble · flounder · mishandle · underperform · drop the ball · slack off · let slide · mismanage · default · flub

Opposites
task performance

fall down onnail

Metal fastener or keratin plate

ace · master · pull off · crush it · fulfill

effort and commitment

fall down oncome through

Fulfill when needed

step up to · rise to the occasion · see through · stick with · keep up with

Family

fall, down, fell, fallen, falling, falls, downtown, downpour, downward

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G