verbverb

retombée

fall back · fall back down · drop again

C’est quand quelque chose ou quelqu’un descend de nouveau après être monté ou avoir été en l’air.

Word: retomber

Meaning:

Retomber is a French verb that generally means "to fall again" or "to fall back." It is composed of two parts:

re-: a prefix indicating "again" or "back,"
tomber: a verb meaning "to fall."

Explanation:

Literal meaning:
To fall down again or fall back. For example, something that was lifted or suspended and then drops back down.
Figurative meanings:
- To relapse or revert to a previous state (e.g., retomber dans une habitude - to fall back into a habit).
- To have a consequence or impact on something previously mentioned (used in expressions like cela retombe sur toi - that falls back on you, meaning it affects or concerns you).

Synonyms:

redescendre (to go down again)
revenir à (to come back to, in some contexts)
rechuter (to relapse, in medical or behavioral contexts)
plonger de nouveau (to plunge again)

Antonyms:

monter (to go up)
s'élever (to rise)

Examples:

Le ballon est monté puis il est retombé au sol.
The balloon went up then fell back to the ground.
Après une période d'arrêt, il est retombé dans ses mauvaises habitudes.
After a break, he fell back into his bad habits.

Summary:

Retomber combines the idea of falling with a notion of repetition or returning. It can be used in both a physical sense (an object falling again) or metaphorical sense (someone reverting to a former behavior or condition).