Fall to Meaning in English

expression

US

UK

Definition

'Fall to' means to become responsible for something, or to begin doing something, especially a task or duty that needs attention.

Usage & Nuances

Somewhat formal/neutral; used to show duty/responsibility ("It fell to me to close the shop") or starting action ("Everyone fell to eating"). Often appears with work or tasks, and less common in casual speech. Not about physical falling.

• Spanish: corresponder a - ponerse a - comenzar a (tarea)
• Portuguese (BR): caber a - começar a (tarefa)
• Portuguese (PT): competir a - começar a (tarefa)
• Chinese (Simplified): 轮到 - 开始（做某事）
• Chinese (Traditional): 輪到 - 開始（做某事）
• Hindi: (काम) करना पड़ना - (किसी कार्य को) शुरू करना
• Arabic: يؤول إلى - يبدأ بـ
• Bengali: দায়িত্ব পড়া - শুরু করা (কাজ করা)
• Russian: возлагаться - перейти (обязанность) - приступить (к делу)
• Japanese: 任される - 始める (行動に移す)
• Vietnamese: được giao trách nhiệm - bắt đầu làm (công việc)
• Korean: 책임이 주어지다 - 시작하다 (일을)
• Turkish: üzerine düşmek - başlamak (işe)
• Urdu: ذمہ داری آنا - کام شروع کرنا
• Indonesian: menjadi tanggung jawab - mulai melakukan (tugas)

Example Sentences

It will fall to you to lock the doors tonight.

basic

After dinner, it always falls to me to wash the dishes.

basic

Once the cake arrived, everyone fell to eating right away.

natural

As the meeting went silent, it fell to Brian to break the ice.

natural

With no one else volunteering, the tough job fell to me.

natural

When the leader left, the work fell to her assistant.

basic