English · Emotions & Feelings
fall out
/fɔːl aʊt/
[/fɔːl aʊt/]
argue; quarrel
Intermediateverb
Definition
To have an argument and stop being friendly with someone.
Example
The two brothers fell out over their father's inheritance and didn't speak for nearly a decade.
The two brothers fell out over their father's inheritance and didn't speak for nearly a decade.
Etymology
From 'fall' plus 'out', a military term for leaving ranks that came to mean quarrelling.
How & Where It’s Used
Chiefly British and informal for quarrelling; note the noun 'fallout' for consequences.