What does tomber in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word tomber in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use tomber in French.

The word tomber in French means fall, fall, fall out, sag, chuck it down, drop, fall, fall on, be in, be announced, be given, fall, come to , arrive at, come across, come across, happen to get, come up against, fall to, come down on, fall, fall, fall, be arrested, knock out, finish off, seduce, take off, to die for, come at the right time, be lucky, knock over, Drop it!, Forget it!, Forget it!, drop, drop, give up on, let yourself fall, leave, come at a bad time, not fall on deaf ears, we couldn't have timed it better, fall flat on your face, if that happens, if that comes about, lay into, be wide of the mark, fall to your knees, fall through, be knocked for six, come along at just the right time, fall flat, fall in love, fall in love with, fall in love with, fall on the battlefield, fall on the field of battle, fall into the clutches of , fall into 's clutches, stoop low, sink low, drop like flies, fall at 's feet, hit like a ton of bricks, reach agreement, faint, fall into 's hands, become excessive, go too far the other way, fade from memory, degenerate into triteness, fall into a coma, go into a coma, enter into the public domain, fall into the trap, fall into the trap, fall into 's trap, fall into 's clutches, faint, fall into a trap, go from the frying pan into the fire, be dumbfounded, never see it coming, be asleep on your feet, lash down, pour down, be flabbergasted, be dumbfounded, be gob smacked, be heaven-sent, be a godsend, fall in love, be pulled up short by, point at, break down, break down, fall into disrepair, fall into disuse, fall out of use, fall from grace, faint, break down, break down, break down, run out of petrol, break down, run out of, fall into ruin, fall into ruins, fall into disrepair, faint, become pregnant, get pregnant, fall into the wrong hands, faint, take your shirt off, pick up girls, fall flat on your back, fall ill, fall sick, come face to face with, chance on , chance upon , come across, fall over, fall only to rise again, drop dead, drop down dead, drop dead, fall down dead, succumb to 's charm, succumb to the charm of, fall under 's spell, be placed under the condemnation of the law, fall foul of a law, be an offence, constitute an offence, stand to reason, fall on your head, jump, hit a snag. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word tomber

fall

verbe intransitif (chuter)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le couvreur est tombé du toit et s'est cassé la jambe.
The roofer fell from the roof and broke his leg.

fall

verbe intransitif (perdre l'équilibre)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
J'ai glissé sur le tapis et je suis tombé.
I slipped on the rug and I fell.

fall out

verbe intransitif (quitter un organe) (hair, teeth)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Après la chimio, ses cheveux sont tombés. La dent de lait de mon fils est finalement tombée. Les feuilles tombent en automne.
The leaves fall in autumn.

sag

verbe intransitif (partie du corps : s'affaisser)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
À 50 ans, mes seins ont commencé à tomber.
At 50, my breasts started to sag.

chuck it down

verbe intransitif (pluie,... : descendre du ciel) (weather: slang, UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'aime regarder la pluie tomber. Il est tombé des trombes d'eau hier soir.
It was chucking it down last night.

drop

verbe intransitif (vent,... : se calmer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le vent est tombé et la mer s'est calmée.
The wind died down and the sea calmed.

fall

verbe intransitif (jour : décliner) (night)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Attention, la nuit tombe vite dans cette région.
Watch out, night falls quickly in this area.

fall on

verbe intransitif (se produire à une date) (date)

Cette année, le premier janvier tombe un lundi.
This year, the first of January falls on a Monday.

be in

verbe intransitif (familier (arriver, être présenté) (news: informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La nouvelle vient de tomber : le Premier ministre a démissionné. Le sujet que j'avais bien révisé est tombé à l'examen, alors, je devrais avoir une bonne note.
The subject I'd really revised came up in the exam, so I should get a good mark.

be announced, be given

verbe intransitif (être prononcé, être déclaré) (verdict)

Le verdict vient de tomber : coupable !
The verdict has just been announced: guilty!

fall

verbe intransitif (devenir) (in love, pregnant, ill)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Il vient encore de tomber amoureux. Après des années à essayer, je suis finalement tombée enceinte.
After years of trying, I finally got pregnant.

come to , arrive at

verbe transitif indirect (déboucher à tel endroit) (place)

En suivant le quai, vous tombez sur la gare.
If you follow the platform, you will come to the station.

come across

verbe transitif indirect (trouver par hasard)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])
En faisant du ménage dans le grenier, je suis tombé sur de vieilles photos de mes grands-parents.
While I was cleaning the attic, I came across some old photos of my grandparents.

come across

verbe transitif indirect (rencontrer par hasard) (in person)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])
À la boulangerie, je suis tombée sur l'institutrice de mon fils. C'est bizarre, j'ai appelé mon patron et je suis tombée sur une petite fille.
That's weird. I called my boss's number and I got a little girl.

happen to get

verbe transitif indirect (avoir par hasard)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'espère ne pas tomber sur les probabilités au contrôle de maths parce que je n'y comprends rien. C'est bête, le Français est tombé sur un autre Français au premier tour.

come up against

verbe transitif indirect (rencontrer : une difficulté)

Je crois qu'on est tombés sur un os ! Le boxeur français est tombé sur plus fort que lui.

fall to

verbe transitif indirect (se porter sur)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])
L'humoriste a fait monter quelqu'un sur scène pour se moquer de lui et, bien sûr, c'est tombé sur moi !

come down on

verbe transitif indirect (critiquer, s'en prendre à) (informal)

À la suite de son tweet maladroit, tout le monde est tombé sur la jeune journaliste.

fall

nom masculin (littéraire (tombée, chute) (snow)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le tomber de neige dura trois jours.
The snowfall lasted three days.

fall

verbe intransitif (figuré (mourir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Des milliers de soldats sont tombés pendant la guerre.
Thousands of soldiers fell during the war.

fall

verbe intransitif (figuré (être renversé, perdre son pouvoir) (government, dictator)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le dictateur tomba lors de la révolution.
The dictator fell during the revolution

be arrested

verbe intransitif (familier (être arrêté)

Ce financier est tombé pour malversation.
The banker was arrested for embezzlement.

knock out, finish off

verbe transitif (familier (vaincre à la lutte) (boxing, wrestling)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Ce boxeur a tombé son adversaire.
The boxer knocked out his opponent.

seduce

verbe transitif (familier (séduire [qqn])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
C'est un dragueur, il tombe toutes les filles.
He's a ladies man; he seduces all the girls.

take off

verbe transitif (familier (vêtement : enlever) (clothing)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Il tombe son pull dès qu'il fait plus de 20 degrés.

to die for

locution adjectivale (familier (exceptionnel, magnifique) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ce fondant au chocolat est à tomber ! Retrouvez notre sélection de petites robes d'été à tomber !

come at the right time

locution verbale (arriver à point nommé) (person, event, opportunity)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ah, tu tombes bien ! J'avais justement une question à te poser. // Un parapluie ! Ça tombe bien, je voulais m'en acheter un.
An umbrella! That's a lucky coincidence; I wanted to buy one.

be lucky

locution verbale (surtout au passé (être chanceux)

Tu as Mme Martin en maths ? Tu es bien tombé parce que c'est une super prof !

knock over

verbe transitif (laisser tomber sans faire exprès)

Le tailleur a fait tomber sa boîte d'épingles et elles se sont éparpillées partout.
The tailor dropped his box of pins and they scattered everywhere.

Drop it!

interjection (péjoratif (N'insiste pas !) (figurative)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Forget it!

interjection (Ce n'est pas grave)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Forget it!

interjection (Ne t'en préoccupe plus !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

drop

locution verbale (faire chuter)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Marion a laissé son téléphone tomber.
Marion dropped her phone.

drop

locution verbale (figuré (abandonner) (figurative, informal)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Ce grand joueur laissera tomber le foot après ce match.
That great player is going to drop football after this match.

give up on

locution verbale (abandonner, ne plus aider [qqn])

J'ai besoin de toi. Ne me laisse pas tomber ! Mon frère m'a laissé tomber au moment où j'avais le plus besoin de lui.

let yourself fall

(chuter sans se retenir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
L'acrobate se laissa tomber sans filet.

leave

locution verbale (ne pas insister)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Laisse tomber, ça ne vaut pas le coup de discuter avec lui, il est trop borné !
Leave it - it's not worth arguing with him. He's too stubborn!

come at a bad time

locution verbale (arriver à un mauvais moment)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Désolée, tu tombes mal ; j'allais partir. // Je tombe mal ?
Is this a bad time?

not fall on deaf ears

locution verbale (être retenu)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

we couldn't have timed it better

(chance : c'est idéal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Être là le jour où cet écrivain vient dédicacer son livre, on ne pouvait pas mieux tomber.

fall flat on your face

locution verbale (tomber par terre)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il a trébuché et s'est étalé de tout son long.
He tripped and fell flat on his face.

if that happens, if that comes about

locution adverbiale (familier, Belgique (si ça se trouve, il se pourrait)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

lay into

(se déchaîner sur [qqn]) (informal)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])
Le chef est tombé à bras raccourcis sur Jean-Paul pendant le réunion hebdomadaire.

be wide of the mark

locution verbale (figuré (se tromper) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Toutes mes réponses aux questions tombaient malheureusement à côté.

fall to your knees

locution verbale (se mettre volontairement à genoux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall through

locution verbale (figuré (ne plus être envisagé) (figurative, informal)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Notre projet de sortie de fin d'année est tombé à l'eau.

be knocked for six

locution verbale (figuré (être surpris) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je suis tombée à la renverse en entendant la nouvelle.
You could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard the news.

come along at just the right time

locution verbale (arriver à point)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Tu tombes à pic, on avait besoin de toi !
You've come along at just the right time. We need your help!

fall flat

locution verbale (faire un flop) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall in love

locution verbale (devenir amoureux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon fils ne mange plus : je pense qu'il a dû tomber amoureux. // Alexandra et Jérémy sont tombés amoureux au premier regard.

fall in love with

(devenir amoureux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ma fille est tombée amoureuse du jardinier.

fall in love with

(devenir amoureux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
L'année dernière, je suis allée en Autriche et je suis tombé amoureux de ce pays.

fall on the battlefield, fall on the field of battle

locution verbale (littéraire (mourir sur le champ de bataille)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, des millions d'hommes sont tombés au champ d'honneur.

fall into the clutches of , fall into 's clutches

(être fait prisonnier par)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

stoop low, sink low

locution verbale (figuré, péjoratif (se rabaisser)

drop like flies

locution verbale (figuré (mourir en grand nombre) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les poilus tombèrent comme des mouches durant les offensives de 14-18.

fall at 's feet

locution verbale (figuré (ne pas résister à [qqn/qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Tu vas voir, alors mon nouveau parfum et ma belle coupe de cheveux, les filles vont tomber comme des mouches !

hit like a ton of bricks

locution verbale (figuré (être annoncé brutalement) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
The news hit her like a ton of bricks.

reach agreement

locution verbale (trouver un accord)

Les plénipotentiaires ont fini par tomber d'accord après 10 jours de négociations.

faint

locution verbale (s'évanouir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Le randonneur tomba d'inanition à cause de la chaleur.

fall into 's hands

(s'ajouter au patrimoine de [qqn]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La voiture tombera dans l'escarcelle de Julie.

become excessive

locution verbale (exagérer fortement)

go too far the other way

locution verbale (exagérer dans l'autre sens)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fade from memory

locution verbale (être oublié complètement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

degenerate into triteness

locution verbale (devenir futile)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall into a coma, go into a coma

locution verbale (sombrer dans un état d'inconscience)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

enter into the public domain

locution verbale (devenir libre de droit)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les œuvres du XIXe sont tombées dans le domaine public.

fall into the trap

locution verbale (familier (se faire avoir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall into the trap

locution verbale (se faire avoir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall into 's trap

(figuré (être sous l'emprise de [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall into 's clutches

locution verbale (figuré (être à la merci de [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

faint

locution verbale (figuré, familier (s'évanouir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Après ce gros effort, l’athlète est tombée dans les pommes.

fall into a trap

locution verbale (être pris dans une embuscade)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

go from the frying pan into the fire

locution verbale (aggraver sa situation) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be dumbfounded, never see it coming

locution verbale (figuré (être très étonné)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Quand il a appris que sa fille chérie se droguait, il est tombé de haut.
The news that his beloved daughter was taking drugs brought him down to earth with a bang.

be asleep on your feet

locution verbale (être très fatigué)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Après sa journée de 12 h, l'infirmière tombait de sommeil et est allée vite se coucher.

lash down, pour down

locution verbale (figuré (pleuvoir beaucoup)

be flabbergasted, be dumbfounded, be gob smacked

locution verbale (figuré, soutenu (être très étonné)

be heaven-sent, be a godsend

locution verbale (figuré (être inespéré)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
The lottery prize was a godsend.

fall in love

locution verbale (Can (tomber amoureux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be pulled up short by

locution verbale (figuré (être captivé par)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les enfants tombèrent en arrêt devant les vitrines.

point at

locution verbale (chien de chasse : se figer) (dog)

Le chien tomba en arrêt devant une biche.

break down

locution verbale (subir une avarie matérielle) (person: suffer vehicle malfunction)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Sandra n'a pas pu venir à la fête parce qu'elle est tombée en carafe sur la route.
Sandra couldn't come to the party, because she broke down on the way.

break down

locution verbale (être en panne) (vehicle)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Ma vieille 2CV est tombée en carafe 2 jours avant mon départ en vacances.

fall into disrepair

locution verbale (se dégrader)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cette maison tomba en décrépitude après qu'elle eut perdu son toit.

fall into disuse, fall out of use

locution verbale (soutenu (devenir vieilli, inusité)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall from grace

locution verbale (être désavoué, rejeté)

faint

locution verbale (littéraire ou ironique (s'évanouir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Plusieurs jeunes femmes tombèrent en pâmoison à la vue du beau prince.

break down

locution verbale (machine, véhicule : ne plus fonctionner) (machine, vehicle)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
La machine à laver est tombée en panne alors en attendant qu'elle soit réparée, nous allons à la laverie automatique.

break down

locution verbale (personne : dont [qch] ne fonctionne plus)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
En allant au mariage de mon frère, je suis tombée en panne au milieu de nulle part.

break down

locution verbale (personne : dont [qch] ne fonctionne plus) (machine as subject)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Nous sommes tombés en panne de lave-linge alors que nous avions plein de lessive à faire.
Our washing machine broke down when we had loads of laundry to do.

run out of petrol

locution verbale (ne plus avoir d'essence) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Nous sommes tombés en panne d'essence au beau milieu de la campagne.

break down

locution verbale (familier (tomber en panne) (machine, etc.)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Mon ordi ne s'allume plus, il est tombé en rade.

run out of

(familier (manquer de)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall into ruin, fall into ruins, fall into disrepair

locution verbale (se délabrer) (building)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

faint

locution verbale (faire un malaise)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

become pregnant, get pregnant

locution verbale (familier (devenir enceinte)

Émilie est tombée enceinte au moment où elle ne s'y attendait plus.

fall into the wrong hands

locution verbale (être mal utilisé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

faint

locution verbale (s'évanouir)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Elle tomba évanouie sous le choc.

take your shirt off

locution verbale (familier, régionalisme (retirer son vêtement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il fait chaud : je vais tomber la chemise.

pick up girls

locution verbale (familier (séduire toutes les filles)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall flat on your back

locution verbale (figuré, familier (se renverser) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall ill, fall sick

locution verbale (devenir malade)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Quelques jours après la rentrée, ma femme est tombée malade et a dû être arrêtée une semaine.

come face to face with

locution verbale (familier (rencontrer [qqn] fortuitement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je suis tombé nez à nez avec ta mère au supermarché.

chance on , chance upon , come across

locution verbale (trouver [qch] par hasard)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])

fall over

locution verbale (chuter)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

fall only to rise again

locution verbale (ne pas se laisser abattre)

drop dead, drop down dead

locution verbale (s'effondrer comme un mort)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le chien est tombé raide après avoir reniflé le produit.

drop dead, fall down dead

locution verbale (familier (mourir subitement)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il tomba raide mort en promenade dans la forêt.

succumb to 's charm, succumb to the charm of

(être séduit par [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall under 's spell

(être obnubilé par [qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be placed under the condemnation of the law

locution verbale (être passible d'une condamnation)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fall foul of a law

locution verbale (être passible d'une condamnation)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be an offence, constitute an offence

locution verbale (être condamnable) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

stand to reason

locution verbale (être évident)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
It stands to reason that the government will resign since they lost the vote.

fall on your head

locution verbale (figuré (dire une bêtise) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Did you fall on your head? You seem weird!

jump

locution verbale (aborder brutalement [qqn])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Deux gars me sont tombés sur le paletot à la sortie de la gare.
Two lads jumped me as I came out of the station.

hit a snag

locution verbale (figuré, familier (rencontrer un problème) (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of tomber in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

Do you know about French

French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.