It is often used to describe:
* A fall from a building, cliff, or other high place.
* A car accident, especially one involving a significant drop.
* A metaphorical sense of sudden downfall or disaster.
The phrase evokes a sense of helplessness and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the force of gravity. It emphasizes the rapid and inescapable nature of the fall.
Example:
"He was on a tightrope walk hundreds of feet in the air. Then, the earth rushed up to meet him, and he fell with a sickening thud."