What does the idiom fell by wayside mean?

The idiom "fell by the wayside" means to fail or be abandoned, especially after a promising start. It implies that something has been unsuccessful or has been forgotten about, often because of difficulties or challenges.

Here are some examples of how it can be used:

* "Many of the early startups fell by the wayside, unable to secure funding."

* "Despite their initial enthusiasm, their plans to build a treehouse fell by the wayside."

* "Good intentions often fall by the wayside when life gets busy."

The phrase originates from a biblical passage in Matthew 20:1-16, where Jesus tells a parable about workers in a vineyard. Those who arrived early received a fair wage, but those who arrived later received the same amount, causing resentment among the early workers. The parable ends with the line, "For many are called, but few are chosen." This is often interpreted to mean that many people start a journey, but only a few finish it successfully.

The idiom "fell by the wayside" emphasizes the idea that things that start well don't always end successfully, and that failure is often a result of obstacles or lack of commitment.