Break your fall Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To stop or slow down your body when you are falling, often by using your hands, arms, or something you land on so you are not hurt as badly.
Usage & Nuances
This phrase is usually physical, used when literally falling and trying to protect yourself. Can also be used figuratively for situations where someone helps lessen the impact of a negative event. More common in informal, spoken contexts. Common collocations: 'use your hands to break your fall', 'a branch broke my fall'.
Example Sentences
He put out his hands to break his fall.
basic
A pile of leaves helped break her fall.
basic
Try to roll to break your fall if you slip.
basic
Thankfully, her backpack helped break her fall when she slipped on the stairs.
natural
He tried grabbing the railing to break his fall, but still landed hard.
natural
The mat on the floor did a good job to break my fall during yoga.
natural