Fall down vs. fall through

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Anonymous

#575086 Fri, 10 Oct 08 09:29 AM

I think it is correct to say:
Due to heavy rain our plans for a picnic fell through
but is is also correct to say
Due to heavy rain our plans for a picnic fell down?

Thank you in advance

Anonymous

Mister Micawber

#575094 Fri, 10 Oct 08 10:35 AM

.
Fall down is wrong, there is another problem:

Because of heavy rain, our plans for a picnic fell through.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (22,704)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Anonymous

#575271 Fri, 10 Oct 08 09:33 PM

Thank you.

Just one more question: is it generally incorrect to write "plans fell down" or is it wrong only this case?

Anonymous

RayH

#575304 Fri, 10 Oct 08 11:39 PM

I can't think of a case where it would be correct to say "plans fell down."

RayH

Joined on Sat, Mar 22 2008

CA, USA

Regular Member (796)

Native speaker of U. S. English. Not a grammar expert.

Anonymous

#575890 Mon, 13 Oct 08 11:46 AM

For example:
Where do you think the plan falls down?
Source: [link]

Anonymous

Mister Micawber

#575896 Mon, 13 Oct 08 12:05 PM

.
Ah, I see. Yes, that is a good use, but there, 'fall down' means 'to perform disappointingly'. The plan has a defect within itself. In your original example, the rain (an outside force) ruined the plan, so 'fall down' does not work.
.

Mister Micawber

CalifJim

#576461 Wed, 15 Oct 08 04:21 AM

plan ... falls through = the planned event never happens; the event is cancelled

plan ... falls down = the plan is ineffective; it doesn't seem like it will work if implemented

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,794)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche