tumble

tum|ble¹ [ˈtʌmbəl] v

[Date: 1200-1300; Origin: tumb [i]'to dance, perform as a tumbler' (11-14 centuries), from Old English tumbian]

1.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to fall down quickly and suddenly, especially with a rolling movement

tumble over/backwards/down

▪ She lost her balance and tumbled backwards.

▪ A few stones came tumbling down the cliff.

2.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to move in an uncontrolled way

tumble into/through/out etc

▪ We tumbled out into the street.

3.) if prices or figures tumble, they go down suddenly and by a large amount

▪ Oil prices have tumbled.

tumble to

▪ Mortgage rates tumbled to their lowest level for 25 years.

4.) [always + adverb/preposition] literary

if someone's hair tumbles down, it is long, thick, and curly

▪ Her long dark hair tumbled over her shoulders.

5.) literary if words tumble out of someone's mouth, they speak very quickly because they are excited or upset

tumble out/over

▪ The words tumbled out as if he hardly knew what to say first.

6.) [always + adverb/preposition]

if water tumbles somewhere, it flows there quickly

▪ A narrow stream tumbled over the rocks.

7.) come tumbling down

a) if something comes tumbling down, it falls suddenly to the ground

▪ Removing the debris could cause the rest of the building to come tumbling down.

b) if a system, problem etc comes tumbling down, it suddenly stops working or existing

▪ In the last year, barriers have come tumbling down.

8.) AmE to do ↑tumbling

tumble ²

tumble² n

a fall, especially from a high place or level

▪ It's possible that stocks could take a tumble next year.

→↑rough and tumble