“Falling off the chariot” means breaking a pledge, often related to quitting drinking. The phrase originated in the 1800s with the temperance movement. Falling off the wagon can be a learning experience and can apply to other situations besides addiction. It’s important to get back on track and seek support.
When someone is said to have fallen off the chariot, it means that he has done something that he pledged not to do. This term is often used in the context of drinking; people trying to quit drinking may struggle and fall off the wagon at some point in response to stress, social temptations, and other factors. This idiom can, of course, also be used to describe forgoing participation in other activities, or failing to fulfill a vow to do something.
The origins of this phrase can be found in the 1800s, with the temperance movement. During this era, many people felt that alcohol was an extremely harmful substance and abstained from alcohol while encouraging others to do the same. The term refers to the water carts that were once pulled by horses to water the dirt roads so they didn’t get dusty. Members of the temperance movement said they’d rather drink from a water cart than touch a drop of alcohol, so when someone failed to keep a temperance pledge, people said he fell off the cart.
A fall off the wagon can be a learning experience, especially for people who are struggling with addictions. In the case of alcohol and drug addiction, someone may slip when under pressure or enter a social environment that encourages a relapse into old habits, and the experience can be a reminder to be careful. Some people learn not to put themselves in certain situations, for fear of falling off the wagon.
This term can be used for all kinds of situations. For example, someone who can’t keep up with the resolution to exercise more might say that he’s fallen off the wagon. The idea of someone “falling” rather than “jumping” off the wagon illustrates the fact that it can be very difficult to maintain vows for self-improvement, underlining the fact that circumstances may have gotten slightly out of control.
While it can be tempting to give up after a fall off the wagon, it’s a good idea to climb back up again, so to speak. It can help to remember why you made a vow to do or not to do something in the first place, and to reaffirm the vow after a fall. Some people find it helpful to ask friends for assistance or support programs to make falling more difficult.
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