Englishfall off the wagon
Meaning: To lose control of oneself and engage in a compulsive behavior.
Example: “He had been sober for a year before he fell off the wagon at the wedding.”
Origin: The wagon is a water cart. In American towns before paved streets, horse-drawn carts sprayed water over dirt roads to keep the dust down, and during the temperance campaigns around the turn of the twentieth century a person who had sworn off drink was said to be on the water cart or water wagon — the joke being that they would sooner drink from the dust-laying cart than touch liquor. "On the wagon" is attested from around 1900, and falling off it followed immediately as the obvious complement. The image is well chosen for what it describes: staying aboard requires continuous effort and attention, while coming off requires none at all and happens in an instant.
More English idioms
- fill the bill To suit or satisfy a need.
- filthy rich Extremely wealthy.
- fits and starts In short bursts of motion or effort.
- fix someone's wagon To return an irritation caused by a person through some form of mild revenge.
- flat broke Have absolutely no money.
- follow in someone's footsteps To follow the same career or lifestyle as someone else.
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