break one's fall
1 of 2phrase (1)
: to help make one's fall less forceful
The bushes beneath the window helped to break his fall.
break one's/someone's fall
2 of 2phrase (2)
: to stop oneself/someone from falling
He slipped on the ice and hurt his hand when he tried to break his fall.
Cite this Entry
“Break one's fall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20one%27s%20fall. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
