downfall

[ doun-fawl ]

/ ˈdaʊnˌfɔl /

descent to a lower position or standing; overthrow; ruin.

something causing ruin, failure, etc.: Liquor was his downfall.

a fall, as of rain, snow, or the like, often sudden or heavy.

a trap using a falling weight for killing, injuring, or imprisoning the prey.

Origin of downfall

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at down¹, fall

down·fall·en, adjective

Her downfall came about, because for a second she forgot that to swim in the shark pool, you have to always act like a shark.

‘Housewife Tycoon’ Took On ‘Mad Men’ NYC Real Estate Market and Won |Vicky Ward |October 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
And it was probably at least partly this that precipitated his downfall.

Relishing Rembrandt’s Blockbuster London Show |Nancy Durrant |October 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
And one day, if I have anything to do with it, that lack of moderation will be his downfall.

Iran’s Top Spy Is the Modern-Day Karla, John Le Carré’s Villainous Mastermind |Michael Weiss |July 2, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
According to Barry, the changes he brought about as mayor are the reasons for his downfall.

Speed Read: Marion Barry’s Crazy Memoir |William O’Connor |June 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

“Thom believed that he should be able to control it, and that contributed to his downfall,” his brother remembers.

The Drunken Downfall of Evangelical America's Favorite Painter |Zac Bissonnette |June 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
If he had the misfortune to cross their path, it brought him a world of woe, and finally his downfall.

The Philippine Islands |John Foreman
But she is undoubtedly an agent-provocateuse of police set to tempt men to their downfall.

The Minister of Evil |William Le Queux
All at once it flashed upon my brain that my second in command was inciting the crew to my downfall and his own elevation.

Perseverance Island |Douglas Frazar
The downfall had acted on the other runners like an electric shock.

Bert Wilson, Marathon Winner |J. W. Duffield
Your downfall is near, and yet in your wildest dreams you would never guess how strange your downfall is to be.

Sir Nigel |Arthur Conan Doyle

downfall

/ (ˈdaʊnˌfɔːl) /

a sudden loss of position, health, or reputation

a fall of rain, snow, etc, esp a sudden heavy one

another word for deadfall