"Fall off the wagon” — Seinfeld"
Definition
To fall off the wagon means to go back to a bad habit after you had stopped. It is most commonly used about drinking or other addictions, but works for any temptation you were trying to resist.
How to use it
In Seinfeld, the phrase is used with the same dry humour the show is famous for. The character had been doing well, then completely gave in. The wagon in the original expression referred to a water cart, and staying "on the wagon" meant choosing water over alcohol.
Examples
► "He had given up sugar for a month, then fell off the wagon at the birthday party."
► "She fell off the wagon after three weeks and bought another pair of shoes."
From the lesson
7 Hollywood Idioms | The Ultimate Compilation
This phrase appears in the 7 Hollywood Idioms | The Ultimate Compilation lesson. Open it to watch the scene and download the free worksheet.
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