I fell behind a great deal

[maayani]

Hello,

-And you are not to just run on out of here without notice.
- I wouldn’t have had to if Ma didn’t slam the door on her face.
-Hey, you left me high and dry today, son. I fell behind a great deal cause of your selfishness.

(from the movie: "mean dreams")

Can you clarify to me in your own words the meaning of "fell behind a great deal" in this context?

Thanks in advance.

 

[PaulQ]

To fall behind - to fail to progress as one would expect; to suffer some sort of disadvantage - usually (but not always) a loss of time (that could be used to do/achieve something.)

PS
In your examples from the film, can you please explain what the film is about and where and when the story takes place.

This is what is meant by "context".

 

[maayani]

Thanks a lot.
Can we say that "fell behind a great deal" mean "miss a great deal" or miss an opportunity?

(explanation of the context: Jonas spends his days working on his father's cattle ranch, and here they are talking after Jonas went out without a notice )

 

[PaulQ]

Can we say that "fell behind a great deal" mean "miss a great deal" or miss an opportunity?

No, we cannot. It is not the same as "deal" = a business arrangement/arrangement.

A deal = a proportion; an extent; an amount

Here "a great deal" is a set adverbial phrase and is usually said as "by a great deal" -> "by a large proportion" or "to a large extent". The proportion/extent of what can be implied by the context, or stated:

"A great deal of Israelis live in other countries."
"A large proportion of Israelis live in other countries."

"Do you visit your parents?"
"We visit them a great deal." (on many occasions; very frequently)