fall behind

to fail to do something on time.

• More and more people are falling behind in their mortgage payments.

to make less progress.

• We read newspapers so that we may not fall behind the times.
• I have to hurry. I'm falling behind schedule.
• Chris risks falling behind in the science class.
• American students are falling behind in math.
• I don't want to fall behind my class.
• He fell behind in his English class.
• Don't fall behind other companies!
• I fall behind him in this respect.
• He fell behind in his work.
• He tries to make sure he doesn't fall behind his classmates.
• The development of the country is falling behind that of Japan.
• Read the newspaper every day, or you will fall behind the times.
• I make it a rule to read the newspaper every day lest I should fall behind the times.
• I'm afraid we've fallen a bit behind in our work.

to move slower than other people so you are behind.

• I fell behind on my tour group.
• Walk faster so as not to fall behind.
• Nobody fell behind in the marathon race.
• Every time we go hiking, he falls behind.
• Unable to keep up with his friends, he fell behind at last.