To fall off the wagon means returning to a bad habit after trying to stop, especially drinking alcohol after deciding to quit.
The expression comes from the phrase on the water wagon from the late 1800s. People who promised to avoid alcohol said they were riding the water wagon, so falling off it meant they had started drinking again.
The expression comes from the phrase on the water wagon from the late 1800s. People who promised to avoid alcohol said they were riding the water wagon, so falling off it meant they had started drinking again.
After months without alcohol, he fell off the wagon at a party.