💔 Falling for It or Them: The Art of Being Deceived and Enamored 💘
fall for something/someone, to — To be taken in or deceived; or to be captivated by or enamored of. Originating in American slang in the late nineteenth century, the expression was adopted on both sides of the Atlantic. The two meanings are differentiated by the context. The first sense is meant in “The mayor fell for it” (R. L. McCardell, Conversations with a Chorus Girl, 1903), and the second in “I fell for her the first time I seen her” (Saturday Evening Post, 1914).
Related and Similar Terms:
- Taken in: Misled or deceived.
- Head over heels: Over the top in love or infatuation.
- Hook, line, and sinker: Completely fooled or deceived.
- Smitten: Struck by a strong feeling of attraction.
- Duped: To be tricked or deceived.
Proverbs and Expressions:
- “Love is blind.” – This age-old proverb speaks to the idea that love sees no faults.
- “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” – Often the catalyst for falling for something deceptive.
- “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” – Highlights learning from deception.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “I fell for pizza. I mean, who wouldn’t? It’s cheesy, delicious deception.” – An Hungry Philosopher
- “Love is like a fart. If you have to force it, it’s probably crap.” – Wisdom from a Comedian on Romance and Deception
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Literature & Books:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 👫
- The Confidence-Man by Herman Melville 🌊
- Songs:
- “I Fall to Pieces” by Patsy Cline 🎶
- “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” by Elvin Bishop 🎵
- Movies:
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) 🎬
- Notting Hill (1999) 📽
Inspirational Thought:
“To fall for something or someone isn’t folly; it’s a gateway to understand the depths of life’s lessons and the heights of human connection.”
### Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to express deceit?
- [ ] She fell for the new ice cream flavor.
- [x] He fell for the scam on the internet.
- [ ] They fell for the beautiful sunset by the lake.
- [ ] She fell for the novel's captivating storyline.
> **Explanation:** "He fell for the scam on the internet" uses the idiom to express that someone was deceived or tricked.
### Which of these indicates being captivated by love?
- [ ] The detective fell for the red herring in the case.
- [ ] The investor fell for the fraudulent scheme.
- [x] They fell for each other instantly.
- [ ] The tourist fell for the souvenir shop's prices.
> **Explanation:** "They fell for each other instantly" indicates mutual affection or love.
### True or False: 'Fall for' can only mean being deceived.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. 'Fall for' can mean both being deceived and becoming enamored or infatuated.
### In which context does 'fall for' imply admiration or love?
- [ ] He fell for the cooked-up story.
- [ ] They fell for the clickbait online.
- [ ] She fell for the bogus investment.
- [x] He fell for her charm and wit.
> **Explanation:** "He fell for her charm and wit" implies admiration or love.
### Which of the following is antonymous to 'fall for' in the context of deceit?
- [ ] Catch on
- [ ] Be wise to
- [ ] See through
- [x] All of the above
> **Explanation:** All of the above options are antonyms in the context of deceit.
