Meaning of fall on one's face | Babel Free

Definitions

To fail, especially in a dramatic or particularly decisive manner.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“Judge⟳ Charles R. Richey last⟳ week tried to apply⟳ some firm rules of law to such indelicate situations. He came close⟳ to succeeding, then fell on his face⟳.”

“But defense lawyers have⟳ compared the case to a "trashy novel" in which the Government presented plenty of gossip, hearsay and innuendo but little credible evidence. . . . "I think⟳ the Government fell on their face⟳," said Michael Critchley.”

“[O]thers grumbled, questioning whether this man knew anything about fighting in the desert or was simply a strutting martinet who, once he was confronted with the tactical brilliance of Rommel, would fall⟳ on his face⟳ like⟳ so many before him. Unfortunately, if Montgomery failed, he would no doubt⟳ take⟳ a good part of the Eighth Army with him.”

CEFR level