fall back on

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draw on v.
resort v.

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.

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fall back on

Retirees often have other sources of retirement income to fall back on, such as Social Security, maybe a pension, maybe part-time work.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

But at least Germany had the safety net of penalties, and could fall back on a perfect 100% World Cup shootout record of played four, won four.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

When imagination fails, the boys fall back on “formats”—copy-and-paste scripts traded online and passed phone to phone.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

And now, when Smith doesn’t get a call, he has ABS to fall back on.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

The younger children, unfortunately, had no such comforting philosophy to fall back on.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

fall back on

Example Sentences

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