be heading for a fall

be heading for a fall

To be likely to suffer negative consequences in the near future, typically due to one's poor decisions or foolish behavior. With the way he keeps skipping school, he is definitely heading for a fall. Oh, Jennifer is heading for a fall—you can't start rumors about half the school without repercussions.See also: fall, heading

be heading for a fall

or

be riding for a fall

If a person or an organization is heading for a fall or is riding for a fall, they are doing things that make them likely to have problems or to fail soon. The Tory Party is heading for a great fall. Here was a company that seemed to be riding for a fall. Now, it has become the sixth-biggest firm in the market. Note: You can also say that a person or organization is headed for a fall. There were some who wondered whether Black's vanity indicated that he was headed for a fall. Note: This expression was probably first used in fox-hunting to refer to someone who was riding dangerously. See also: fall, heading