Definition of fall into

The origin of the idiom "fall into" can be traced back to Middle English, around the 14th century. At that time, the phrase was "falle into," with a double l sound in the word "fall." The idiom originally referred to the physical act of accidentally falling or tripping into a place or situation. For example, someone might "fall into a pit" or "fall into a ditch." This literal meaning still exists today, but the idiom has also evolved to convey a more figurative meaning. In modern English, "fall into" is often used to express the idea of unexpectedly becoming involved in a situation or activity. For instance, someone might say "I fell into a career in social work" or "She fell into a discussion about politics." The idiom can also refer to incidents or circumstances that were not planned or anticipated. For example, someone might say "He fell into debt" or "We fell into trouble." Ultimately, the meaning of "fall into" revolves around the idea of happening upon something unexpectedly. It's a useful expression because it combines the concepts of unintended happenstance and becoming involved or immersed in a situation. Its origins lie in the Middle English verb "falen," which means "to fall," and it's still an important idiom in English dialogue today.