fall on one's face

Verb

fall on one's face (third-person singular simple present falls on one's face, present participle falling on one's face, simple past fell on one's face, past participle fallen on one's face)

1. (idiomatic) To fail, especially in a dramatic or particularly decisive manner.
   • Judge Charles R. Richey last week tried to apply some firm rules of law to such indelicate situations. He came close to succeeding, then fell on his face.1976 May 3, “Power Switch Hitters”, in Time
   • But defense lawyers have compared the case to a "trashy novel" in which the Government presented plenty of gossip, hearsay and innuendo but little credible evidence. . . . "I think the Government fell on their face," said Michael Critchley.1988 August 25, Jesus Rangel, “Mob Trial Going to Jury Today in Jersey”, in New York Times, retrieved 05 Aug 2009