fallen off the wagon
Broke sobriety vow
To fall off the wagon is to resume drinking alcohol after a period of abstinence, or more broadly, to return to any habit or behavior one had been trying to quit.
The expression comes from the temperance movement, when "water wagons" delivered drinking water and those who pledged sobriety were said to be "on the wagon." He was sober for six months before he fell off the wagon at his brother's wedding.
The phrase implies a lapse in willpower or resolve.
- backslideRevert to bad habits
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- regressionReturn to former state
moment of weakness · back to square one · self-sabotage · rehabilitation · trigger · shame · peer pressure · hopelessness · hit rock bottom · sponsor · detoxification · lapse · withdrawal · vulnerability · support group · abstinence · one day at a time · cold turkey
fallen off the wagonon the wagon
Abstaining from alcohol
sober · clean · staying sober · dry · abstinent
fallen off the wagongoing strong
Continuing vigorously, undiminished
making progress · on the mend · keeping it together · back on track