fall back on

VERB

draw on

Synonyms

WEAK

effect employ exploit extract have recourse to make use of rely on require take from

VERB

resort

Synonyms

STRONG

address affect apply devote direct employ exercise frequent go haunt recur repair run try turn use utilize visit

WEAK

avail oneself of benefit by bring into play go to head for look to make use of put to use recur to refer to take up turn to

Antonyms

STRONG

abstain break halt ignore misuse shun stay stop

WEAK

avoid dodge

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Their only request was that I have something to fall back on, “so you know what kind of work you’re out of.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Now I had to fall back on the area’s limited fast-charging options.

From The Wall Street Journal

He knows that his power is built on appearances — and he has little to fall back on if he loses that.

From Salon

And Perkins can too easily fall back on predictable techniques, overlaying cheery pop songs on top of macabre scenes for cheap ironic effect.

From Los Angeles Times

They did not have any savings to fall back on and, to make matters worse, Leslee's elderly mother was in charge of the company accounts and she blamed herself until the theft was uncovered.

From BBC

fall back on

Example Sentences

Related Words