fall back Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb fall backwards and down
   
2. verb hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
   dawdle; fall behind; lag.
   
3. verb move back and away from
   
   • The enemy fell back
4. verb retreat
   drop off; fall behind; recede; lose.
   
5. verb have recourse to
   resort; recur.
   
   • The government resorted to rationing meat
6. verb go back to bad behavior
   retrogress; recidivate; relapse; lapse; regress.
   
   • Those who recidivate are often minor criminals

WordNet