Test incompl/inter-346, User's Answer 3

[Nenad11]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #346 "English Slang Idioms (67)", question 3

She could tell that he had ......... off the wagon again. He smelled of whiskey and was obviously having a hard time keeping his balance.

(a) let
(b) fallen
(c) jumped
(d) sprung

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #346 "English Slang Idioms (67)", answer 3

She could tell that he had fallen off the wagon again. He smelled of whiskey and was obviously having a hard time keeping his balance.

Correct answer: (b) fallen

Your answer was: incorrect
She could tell that he had jumped off the wagon again. He smelled of whiskey and was obviously having a hard time keeping his balance.
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Does to fall off the wagon mean to be drunk?

[Beeesneees]

Not necessarily.

If an alcoholic were to 'fall off the wagon, he would have started drinking.
If someone trying to give up cigarettes were to 'fall off the wagon' he would be smoking.
If a dieter were to 'fall off the wagon', he would be putting on weight by breaking his healthy eating habits.

It means to give up doing whatever it was they were trying to do to improve themselves and fall back into old habits.
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Cheers m' dears!