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fall in

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fall in

to line up in a row, standing shoulder to shoulder. The Boy Scouts were told to fall in behind the leader. The soldiers fell in quickly.

See also: fall

fall in (to something)

to drop into something. The rabbit fell into the hole and was trapped. It went right up to the hole and fell in.

See also: fall

fall in (to step)

to get into the same marching pattern as everyone else as regards which foot moves forward. (Everyone should be moving the same foot forward at the same time.) I just can't seem to fall into step. I am very uncoordinated. Fall in! March with the others!

See also: fall

fall in

1. Take one's place in formation or in the ranks, as in The sergeant ordered the troops to fall in. A related expression is fall into, as in They all fell into their places. [Early 1600s] Also see fall into.

2. Sink inward, cave in, as in The snow was so heavy that we feared the roof would fall in. [Early 1700s] Also see under drop in; the subsequent idioms beginning with fall in; fall into.

See also: fall

fall in

v.

1. To take one's place in military formation, especially a line. Used of soldiers: The troops fell in immediately upon the command of their sergeant.

2. To sink inward; cave in: Under the weight of the snow, the roof of the old barn finally fell in.

3. fall in with To become associated with some group of people: They fell in with the wrong crowd and were eventually arrested for armed robbery.

See also: fall