The bigger they are, the harder they fall: Learn what the means through example!

What does “The bigger they are, the harder they fall” mean?

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall" means that the more significant or powerful something or someone is, the more difficult it is for them to recover from a failure or defeat.

What context can I use the in?

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

Example

He was once a powerful CEO, but now he's bankrupt. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

He was once a powerful CEO, but now he's bankrupt. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Example

The team was undefeated for years, but they lost in the championship game. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

The team was undefeated for years, but they lost in the championship game. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Example

She was a famous actress, but her career took a nosedive after a scandal. The bigger they are, the harder they fall

She was a famous actress, but her career took a nosedive after a scandal. The bigger they are, the harder they fall

Is “The bigger they are, the harder they fall” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“The bigger they are, the harder they fall” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “The bigger they are, the harder they fall” effectively in context?

You can use "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" to express the idea that the larger or more powerful something or someone is, the more significant their downfall or failure will be. It emphasizes the vulnerability and potential consequences of being in a high position or having a lot to lose. For example, if a sports team is heavily favored to win a game but ends up losing, you might say, 'Well, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.'

• 1. Sports

  The team was undefeated for years, but they lost in the championship game. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

  The team was undefeated for years, but they lost in the championship game. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

• 2. Business

  He was once a powerful CEO, but now he's bankrupt. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

  He was once a powerful CEO, but now he's bankrupt. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

• 3. Entertainment

  She was a famous actress, but her career took a nosedive after a scandal. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

  She was a famous actress, but her career took a nosedive after a scandal. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Similar phrases to “The bigger they are, the harder they fall”:

Pride comes before a fall

Being too confident or arrogant can lead to a person's downfall or failure.

Example

He thought he was invincible, but pride comes before a fall.

He thought he was invincible, but pride comes before a fall.

High and mighty

Someone who is arrogant or feels superior, often leading to their eventual downfall.

Example

She acted high and mighty, but eventually, she faced the consequences.

She acted high and mighty, but eventually, she faced the consequences.

From hero to zero

A person who goes from being highly successful or admired to being a complete failure or disappointment.

Example

He went from hero to zero after his scandalous behavior was exposed.

He went from hero to zero after his scandalous behavior was exposed.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “The bigger they are, the harder they fall” come from?

The origin of the phrase "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" is unknown.

Is “The bigger they are, the harder they fall” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" is a common proverb in everyday conversation. It is often used to reflect on situations where someone or something with a high status or reputation experiences a significant downfall.

What tone does “The bigger they are, the harder they fall” have?

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall" conveys a tone of caution and warning. It suggests that even the most powerful or successful individuals or entities are not immune to failure or defeat.

Can “The bigger they are, the harder they fall” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" is commonly used in both informal and formal settings. It is a well-known proverb that can be used in various contexts, such as discussions about sports, business, or personal achievements.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The team was heavily favored to win, but as they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'The bigger they are, the harder they fall!' to imply the potential consequences of overconfidence or arrogance.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• the higher they climb, the harder they fall
• the greater the rise, the greater the fall
• the more you have to lose, the harder the fall
• the stronger they are, the harder they fall

Antonyms

• the smaller they are, the easier they fall
• the weaker they are, the easier they fall
• the less you have to lose, the easier the fall