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fallback

fallback

24 4.0
An alternative plan used when the main one fails
  • noun
  • /ˈfɔlˌbæk/
translation icon : plan de respaldo
  • Every one of us could get shitcanned tomorrow, so spend a little time working on your fallback plan.
  • fallback position

Examples

  • In case our first choice fails, we have a fallback plan ready to implement.

  • But when it's more expensive than meat, my fallback positions are frozen vegetables and dried or canned fruit.

    Blog text (14)
  • - We'll let that be our fallback, okay?

  • Why is this always our fallback position?

  • This is gonna be our fallback.

  • Remember, there is no shame in medicine as a fallback career choice.

    Blog text (6)
  • You are not using volunteer labor as a fallback solution; you are relying on their skills and expertise.

    Academic text (2012)
  • In the event of any situation escalating out of control, the army of India was the fallback force on the frontier.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The bleached grey cottage was their fallback place, George had said, in case anything went wrong.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Or I suggest you invest in some how-to books and find a fallback profession, understood?

Synonyms

stopgap
vsfallback
14 5.2

A temporary solution used until a permanent one is found

is a general alternative that can be long term rather than temporary
back pocket
vsfallback
  • Informal
2 4.2

A plan kept ready to use in case of need

is an alternative kept for use when the main option fails
failover
vsfallback
  • Specialized
1 6.7

An automatic switch to a backup system when the main system stops working

is a general alternative used when a primary option is unavailable

Antonyms

48 4.0

A long guide for how to develop and manage a city or campus over many years

How Protective

insurance
2.0
lifeline
48 4.2
safety net
68 3.4
fallback
24 4.0
precaution
229 3.4

Surface Forms

fallback singular
fallbacks plural

Morphology

fallback = fall (transparent) = back + fall

The meaning is directly built from the phrasal verb 'fall back' (fall + back) meaning 'resort to' so 'fallback' = backup/alternative is easily inferred. [Postprocessing: moved 'back' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Fallback comes from the parts fall + back, which mean to 'move back' or retreat, like soldiers pulling back to safety. So, a fallback is a 'backup' option you use if the main plan fails.