zum Opfer fallen

to become a victim of something negative

Türkçe: kurbanı olmak

Noun

Opfer n.

Verb

fallen

Topic

Konflikt und Risiko

In a sentence

Der Wanderer fiel im Gebirge einem plötzlichen Unwetter zum Opfer.

How it is used

Means to become a victim of something negative. Neutral register. Use in news: 'Viele Menschen fallen Betrugsmaschen zum Opfer.' Common mistake: using it for minor inconveniences; it's for serious harm.

Other verbs that go with Opfer

This is the choice the collocation turns on.

• ein Opfer bringento give up something valuable for a greater good
• Opfer sein von etw.to suffer because of a specific negative situation

All collocations with Opfer

Other collocations built on fallen

• auf fruchtbaren Boden fallenan idea or effort is well-received and likely to succeed
• jdm. in die Hände fallento fall into someone's hands
• auf die Knie fallento fall to one's knees
• ins Koma fallenthe transition into a comatose state
• jdm. zur Last fallento be a burden to someone
• auf die Nase fallento fall flat on one's face
• in Ohnmacht fallento fall into a faint
• aus dem Rahmen fallento stand out from the norm