Fill in the blank with the correct option:-
The two friends appear to have fallen _____ over a minor issue.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → out
A phrasal verb is a verb joined with a small word such as up, out or together. The two words together have a new meaning.
To fall out (with someone) means to quarrel and stop being friendly. Two friends quarrelling over a minor issue have fallen out.
Complete sentence: The two friends appear to have fallen out over a minor issue.
Example: The brothers fell out over the family property.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: down — Incorrect. To fall down is to drop to the ground. It describes a physical fall, not a quarrel.
Example: The child fell down while running.
Option 3: into — Incorrect. To fall into means to enter a state or habit, and it needs an object after it. "Fallen into over a minor issue" has no object and no meaning.
Example: He fell into the habit of sleeping late.
Option 4: by — Incorrect. Fall by is used for a decrease by an amount. Friends cannot fall by anything over an issue.
Example: Prices fell by ten per cent.