to fall behind / relapse
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to fall behind
To lose position or performance in a competition, development, or comparison with others and lose touch with the rest.
Nach seiner Verletzung ist der Sportler im Training weit hinter die anderen zurückgefallen.
After his injury, the athlete fell far behind the others in training.
to relapse
To fall back into a previous, usually negative state or old habit. This is often used in the context of illnesses or addictions.
Obwohl er lange clean war, ist er leider wieder in seine Drogensucht zurückgefallen.
Although he had been clean for a long time, unfortunately he relapsed into his drug addiction.
to fall back
(Military) To withdraw to an earlier position, often under the pressure of an attack.
Die vorderste Verteidigungslinie musste auf die nächste befestigte Stellung zurückfallen.
The front defensive line had to fall back to the next fortified position.
'Zurückfallen' (to fall behind / relapse) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zurück' (back) comes at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Der Läufer fiel in der letzten Runde zurück.
The runner fell behind in the final lap.
Since 'zurückfallen' (to fall behind / relapse) describes a change of position or state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
Sie ist im Wettbewerb leider weit zurückgefallen.
Unfortunately, she has fallen far behind in the competition.
In the meaning 'den Anschluss verlieren' (to lose touch / fall behind), the verb is often used with the preposition 'hinter' (+ accusative) or in contexts such as sports, school, or business.
Das Unternehmen ist technologisch hinter die Konkurrenz zurückgefallen.
The company has fallen behind the competition technologically.
When referring to a relapse into an earlier state, the preposition 'in' (+ accusative) is always used. Typical contexts are habits, illnesses, or behavior patterns.
Nach dem Stress ist er wieder in seine alten Essgewohnheiten zurückgefallen.
After the stress, he relapsed into his old eating habits.
The meaning 'sich zurückziehen' (to withdraw) is used almost exclusively in military language.
Die Truppen sind auf eine besser zu verteidigende Position zurückgefallen.
The troops fell back to a position that was easier to defend.
to fall back on / draw on
Both verbs can refer to something earlier, but they differ in their evaluation. „Zurückgreifen“ means using an existing option, often as a fallback; „zurückfallen“ usually describes an unwanted step backward into an old state or habit. Pay attention, therefore, to whether the evaluation is positive or negative.
Als der Stress zunahm, fiel er in seine alte Lerngewohnheit zurück.
When the stress increased, he fell back into his old study habit.
Als der neue Lernplan nicht funktionierte, griff er auf seine alte Lernmethode zurück.
When the new study plan did not work, he fell back on his old study method.
