Englishfall by the wayside
Meaning: To drop out of the situation.
Example: “Many of the runners fell by the wayside in the heat.”
Equivalents in other languages
French: Rester sur le carreau Literally: To be left on the tiling
Origin: Drawn directly from Jesus's Parable of the Sower, told in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8: a farmer scatters seed, and some of it "fell by the wayside" — along the edge of the path rather than in good soil — where it's trampled underfoot and eaten by birds before it ever has a chance to grow. Jesus's own explanation of the parable identifies that seed with people who hear a message of faith but let it be snatched away before it can take root in their lives. The image transferred easily to any effort, plan, or person that starts out but fails to make it to completion, abandoned or lost somewhere along the way exactly like that unlucky seed.
More English idioms
- feel something in one's bones To sense something without being able to see, hear or feel it; to have a premonition.
- feel the pinch To have less money than one used to have, and less than one feels is necessary.
- feather in one's cap An exceptional achievement.
- fill the bill To suit or satisfy a need.
- filthy rich Extremely wealthy.
- fits and starts In short bursts of motion or effort.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.
- Backpfeifengesicht A face that is just begging to be slapped — someone so smug you can't help the urge.
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- Tampo Pulling back your warmth and affection when you've been hurt — going quiet and distant, h…
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