fall out
To quarrel and stop being friendly; also, in some talk, to faint.
Also called falling out.
Updated September 21, 2026
fall out pronunciation
/FAWL out/
Meaning
Most often around here it means you and somebody else had a spat and quit speaking. Cousins fall out over land, ball teams, or who said what at Sunday dinner, and it can last for years. In parts of the rural South, "fell out" can also mean somebody passed out from heat, shock, or church excitement. Context tells you which.
How folks use it
- “Them two fell out over that fence line and ain't spoken since.”
- “She got so mad she nearly fell out right there in the kitchen.”
Origin and etymology
"Fall out" for quarreling is widespread English. Rural Southern and Appalachian speakers keep it busy for family and neighbor blowups. Dictionary of American Regional English also tracks the Southern "faint" sense from the late 1800s on. A rarer older sense, "turn out / happen," shows up in some storytelling too.
Frequently asked questions
Does fall out always mean a fight?
No. In Southern talk it can also mean somebody fainted. Listen for whether people stopped speaking or hit the floor.