“The bigger they are, the harder they fall”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase means that the more powerful or bigger someone or something is, the more spectacular or significant their downfall will be if they fail.
Tone Cautionary
Where it comes from
The phrase is often attributed to boxer Bob Fitzsimmons but its exact origin is unclear, and it has been used since at least the early 20th century.
Examples
- The company was once a giant in the industry, but it went bankrupt almost overnight; the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
- He was the most popular politician in the state, but after the scandal, he lost everything. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
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