falls from grace
Suffers moral decline
Falls from grace describes a sudden loss of status, reputation, or favor after being held in high esteem.
The phrase carries biblical overtones—Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden—but applies broadly to anyone whose standing collapses through scandal, failure, or moral lapse: The CEO's fall from grace shocked the industry.
Often used with verbs other than fall: His spectacular fall from grace made headlines.
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- sinViolation of divine law
- original sinInherited spiritual corruption
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- fatal flawRuinous character defect
apostasy · betrayal · excommunication · cast out · shame · scandal · dishonesty · infamy · ostracism · career suicide · hypocrisy · regret · dismissal · damnation · despair · arrogance · heresy · remorse
falls from gracecomes into one's own
Achieves deserved recognition
hits the big time · elevation · ascent · breakthrough · crowning achievement
falls from graceredemption
Recovery or moral restoration
salvation · vindication · restoration · absolution · rehabilitation
fall, falls, fallen, falling, faller, downfall, waterfall, rainfall, windfall