Fall down vs. fall through

[ronaldo]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #192 "Phrasal Verbs (D to F)", question 7

The manager was so afraid the multi-million dollar deal would ..........

(a) fall up
(b) fall down
(c) fall through

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #192 "Phrasal Verbs (D to F)", answer 7

The manager was so afraid the multi-million dollar deal would fall through.

Correct answer: (c) fall through

Your answer was: incorrect
The manager was so afraid the multi-million dollar deal would fall down.
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Why not fall down?

[Alan]

Hi,

Fall through as it is used here suggests fail. Fall down is often physically to fall from one place down to another. If you put something on a shelf near the window, it could fall down from the shelf on to the floor if there was a strong wind.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice