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tumble
[ tuhm-buhl ]
verb (used without object)
- to fall helplessly down, end over end, as by losing one's footing, support, or equilibrium; plunge headlong:
to tumble down the stairs.
- to roll end over end, as in falling:
The stones tumbled down the hill.
- to fall or decline rapidly; drop:
Prices on the stock market tumbled today.
- to perform gymnastic feats of skill and agility, as leaps or somersaults.
- to fall suddenly from a position of power or authority; suffer overthrow:
As one dictator tumbles, another is rising to take his place.
The walls of the old mansion tumbled down upon the intruders.
- to roll about by turning one way and another; pitch about; toss.
- to stumble or fall (usually followed by over ):
to tumble over a sled.
- to go, come, get, etc., in a hasty and confused way:
The people tumbled out of the theater. He tumbled hurriedly into his clothes.
- Informal. to understand or become aware of some fact or circumstance (often followed by to ):
He finally tumbled to what they were doing.
- Rocketry. (of a missile) to rotate without control end over end.
verb (used with object)
- to cause to fall or roll end over end; throw over or down.
- to throw or toss about; cause disarray, as in handling or searching.
- to put in a disordered or rumpled condition.
- to throw, cast, put, send, etc., in a precipitate, hasty, or rough manner.
- to cause to fall from a position of authority or power; overthrow; topple:
They tumbled him from his throne.
- to cause to fall or collapse in ruins:
The wreckers tumbled the walls of the building.
- to subject to the action of a tumbling box.
noun
- an act of tumbling or falling.
- a gymnastic or acrobatic feat.
- an accidental fall; spill.
- a drop in value, as of stocks.
- a fall from a position of power or authority:
The great director took a tumble when he was replaced by a newcomer.
- a response indicating interest, affection, etc.:
She wouldn't give me a tumble.
- tumbled condition; disorder or confusion.
- a confused heap:
a tumble of papers, ashes, pens, and keys on the desk.
- Chiefly New England. a haycock.
tumble
/ ˈʌə /
verb
- to fall or cause to fall, esp awkwardly, precipitately, or violently
- intrusually foll byabout to roll or twist, esp in playing
the kittens tumbled about on the floor
- intr to perform leaps, somersaults, etc
- to go or move in a heedless or hasty way
- tr to polish (gemstones) in a tumbler
- tr to disturb, rumple, or toss around
to tumble the bedclothes
noun
- the act or an instance of tumbling
- a fall or toss
- an acrobatic feat, esp a somersault
- a decrease in value, number, etc
stock markets have taken a tumble
- a state of confusion
- a confused heap or pile
a tumble of clothes
Other Word Forms
- ܲ·ٳܳb adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of tumble1
Word History and Origins
Origin of tumble1
Idioms and Phrases
- take a tumble to, Australian Slang. to come to understand.
More idioms and phrases containing tumble
see rough and tumble .Example Sentences
When Banijay launched an inquiry, Wallace said his "world tumbled in".
Meanwhile, Neuheisel thinks there’s a possibility the polarizing Sanders, who skipped throwing drills at the scouting combine, could tumble down the board a bit.
Another had a chipped wheel that tumbled behind me like a difficult child at the airport.
Trump announced a barrage of tariffs earlier this month and shares on stock markets around the world have since tumbled.
In the homeware section, firms displayed everything from washing machines to tumble dryers, electric toothbrushes to juicers and waffle makers.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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