fall for it
Meaning
To be deceived or tricked into believing something false; to be taken in.
Origin
From the figurative sense of “fall” meaning “become a victim/succumb,” plus “fall for” meaning “be taken in by” (or “become attracted to”). Here, “it” refers to the trick, lie, or scheme.
Notes
Common in speech. Usually refers to being tricked (“Don’t fall for it”). Note that “fall for (someone)” more often means “start to like/love someone.”
Examples
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Don’t fall for it—he’s just trying to get a reaction out of you.
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I can’t believe I fell for it and clicked the fake link.
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She almost fell for it, but the too-good-to-be-true price gave it away.
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If they call asking for your password, don’t fall for it.
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He thought the lottery email was real and fell for it completely.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed pattern: fall for + noun/pronoun. Tenses inflect (fell for it, has fallen for it). Often used in negatives/imperatives: “Don’t fall for it.” “It” can be replaced (fall for the scam/lie).
Synonyms
- be taken in
- be fooled
- be duped
- swallow it
- buy it
Antonyms
- see through it
- catch on
- be skeptical
- wise up