Through the cracks Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈθɹu/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈkɹæks

THROO the KRAKS

UK

θɹˈuː/ /ðə, ði/ /kɹˈæks

th-ROO the KRAKS

Definition

If something "falls through the cracks" or "goes through the cracks," it means it gets missed, forgotten, or ignored by mistake.

Usage & Nuances

Usually used for tasks, people, or details missed unintentionally—often in organizations or systems. Often in phrases like 'fall through the cracks.' More common in American English, informal and neutral. Not literal; never used for physical cracks.

• Spanish: pasar desapercibido - pasar por alto
• Portuguese (BR): passar despercebido - passar batido
• Portuguese (PT): passar despercebido - passar ao lado
• Chinese (Simplified): 被忽視 - 被遺漏
• Chinese (Traditional): 被忽視 - 被遺漏
• Hindi: ध्यान से छूट जाना - अनदेखा रह जाना
• Arabic: يُمَرّ دون ملاحظة - يُهمَل
• Bengali: অজান্তে উপেক্ষিত হওয়া - নজর এড়িয়ে যাওয়া
• Russian: незаметно пройти мимо - быть упущенным
• Japanese: 見逃される - 抜け落ちる
• Vietnamese: bị bỏ sót - bị lãng quên (do sơ suất)
• Korean: 놓치다 - 간과되다
• Turkish: gözden kaçmak - atlanmak
• Urdu: نظرانداز ہونا - بھول جانا
• Indonesian: terlewatkan - luput dari perhatian

Example Sentences

Some emails sometimes slip through the cracks during busy days.

basic

We don't want any student to fall through the cracks at school.

basic

Make a list so nothing falls through the cracks.

basic

If you have questions, ask right away—don't let them slip through the cracks.

natural

Sorry, your request fell through the cracks—I just found it today.

natural

Every system has flaws, and sometimes things just fall through the cracks no matter how careful we are.

natural