Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the idea of 'falling through' something, such as a surface, a gap, or a plan. It includes physical falling through objects, metaphorical falling through (like plans failing), and related expressions.
Describing when a person or object falls through a hole, gap, or weak surface.
General verb for 'to fall', often used with a location marked by から or に to indicate falling through something.
The floor gave way and I fell through to the floor below.
I fell into a hole.
Means 'to fall through' or 'to slip through', often used when something passes through a hole or gap. Can be used for objects or people.
The ball fell through the net.
He fell through the window.
Means 'to slip through' or 'to pass through narrowly', often implying escaping or passing through a small space.
The cat slipped through the fence.
Describing when a plan, deal, or arrangement fails to happen or collapses.
Commonly used for plans or events being canceled or falling through. Literally means 'to flow', but in this context it means 'to be called off'.
Our travel plans fell through.
Casual expression meaning 'to fall through' or 'to come to nothing'. Often used for plans or hopes.
General phrase meaning 'to become no good' or 'to fail'. Can be used for plans falling through.
Our carefully made plans fell through.
Describing when someone or something is overlooked or neglected, especially in a system.
落ちる focuses on the downward motion of falling, while 抜ける emphasizes passing through an opening or barrier. Use 落ちる when the fall is the main point, and 抜ける when the passage through something is key.
He fell from the roof.
He fell through the window.
The meeting fell through.
デートがおじゃんになった。
The date fell through.
彼の名前がリストから漏れた。
His name fell through the cracks (was left off the list).