FALL ABOUT Meaning and
Definition
-
The phrase "fall about" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of laughing uncontrollably, often in a loud or boisterous manner. It is commonly used when describing a humorous situation or a joke that elicits strong laughter from individuals. When someone "falls about," they are overcome with laughter to the extent that they may lose their balance, becoming physically unstable or collapsing onto the ground or into a nearby object.
This term is frequently used in informal contexts, such as social gatherings or casual conversations, and is particularly employed when recounting a humorous incident or relaying a funny story. For example, one might say, "The comedian's hilarious performance had the entire audience falling about with laughter."
The phrase conveys a sense of intense amusement and the inability to control one's laughter. It suggests that the situation or joke is so funny that it has a powerful, often uncontrollable, effect on the person's emotions and physical composure. In other words, it implies a complete loss of self-control due to overwhelming laughter.
Overall, "falling about" captures the essence of an extreme and unrestrained laughter reaction, signifying immense enjoyment and finding something particularly humorous.
Etymology of FALL ABOUT
The phrase "fall about" primarily consists of the verb "fall" and the preposition "about".
The word "fall" has Old English origins, derived from the Old Norse word "falla". It has been used in English since the 12th century and refers to the act of dropping or descending from a higher to a lower position or to lose one's balance and collapse. Over time, "fall" also acquired additional meanings related to decline, decrease, or become unsuccessful.
The preposition "about" originated from the Old English word "abutan", which signifies "around" or "surrounding". It has Germanic roots and has been a part of the English language since the 9th century. "About" is commonly used to indicate movement or action in various directions or in close proximity to something.
Idioms with the word FALL ABOUT
-
fall about with laughter
The idiom "fall about with laughter" means to burst into uncontrollable and loud laughter. It describes a situation where someone finds something extremely funny or humorous that they are unable to contain their laughter and laugh excessively or uproariously.
-
fall about (laughing/with laughter)
The idiom "fall about (laughing/with laughter)" means to burst into uncontrollable laughter, often to the point of being unable to stand upright or control one's body. It implies that something is extremely funny or humorous, causing an individual to laugh intensely and lose control temporarily.
-
fall about the place (laughing)
The idiom "fall about the place (laughing)" is used to describe a situation where someone laughs uncontrollably or bursts into fits of laughter. It implies that the person is unable to stand or control their laughter, often collapsing or rolling around in amusement.
-
fall about (laughing)
The idiom "fall about (laughing)" means to laugh uncontrollably or hysterically. It implies that something is extremely funny and causes someone to collapse or lose composure due to laughter.
-
fall about
The idiom "fall about" means to laugh uncontrollably or to be overcome with laughter.
Conjugate verb Fall about
CONDITIONAL
I
would fall about
you
would fall about
he/she/it
would fall about
we
would fall about
they
would fall about
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be falling about
you
would be falling about
he/she/it
would be falling about
we
would be falling about
they
would be falling about
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have fall about
you
would have fall about
he/she/it
would have fall about
we
would have fall about
they
would have fall about
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been falling about
you
would have been falling about
he/she/it
would have been falling about
we
would have been falling about
they
would have been falling about
FUTURE
I
will fall about
you
will fall about
he/she/it
will fall about
we
will fall about
they
will fall about
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be falling about
you
will be falling about
he/she/it
will be falling about
we
will be falling about
they
will be falling about
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have fallen about
you
will have fallen about
he/she/it
will have fallen about
we
will have fallen about
they
will have fallen about
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been falling about
you
will have been falling about
he/she/it
will have been falling about
we
will have been falling about
they
will have been falling about
IMPERATIVE
you
fall about
we
let´s fall about
to fall about
PAST
I
fell about
you
fell about
he/she/it
fell about
we
fell about
they
fell about
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was falling about
you
were falling about
he/she/it
was falling about
we
were falling about
they
were falling about
PAST PARTICIPLE
fallen about
PAST PERFECT
I
had fallen about
you
had fallen about
he/she/it
had fallen about
we
had fallen about
they
had fallen about
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been falling about
you
had been falling about
he/she/it
had been falling about
we
had been falling about
they
had been falling about
PRESENT
I
fall about
you
fall about
he/she/it
falls about
we
fall about
they
fall about
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am falling about
you
are falling about
he/she/it
is falling about
we
are falling about
they
are falling about
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
falling about
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have fallen about
you
have fallen about
he/she/it
has fallen about
we
have fallen about
they
have fallen about
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been falling about
you
have been falling about
he/she/it
has been falling about
we
have been falling about
they
have been falling about