stumble

stum|ble1 [ `stʌmbl ] verb intransitive *

1. ) to fall or almost fall while you are walking or running:

Cheryl's horse stumbled, throwing her to the ground.

stumble over/on etc.: On his morning run, Derek stumbled over a fallen tree.

stumble through/across etc.: She stumbled across the hall and felt for the light switch.

a ) to move with difficulty and nearly fall because you are tired or sick:

stumble along/across/into etc.: Hundreds of refugees stumbled wearily along the road.

2. ) to make a mistake when you are speaking:

Children often stumble when reading aloud.

stumble over/on: He was embarrassed, stumbling over the words.

a ) to make a mistake when you are trying to achieve something:

There are plenty of young rivals to take his place if he stumbles.

`stumble a,cross or `stumble ,on or `stumble up,on phrasal verb transitive

stumble across/on/upon something to find something or meet someone by accident:

We stumbled across him at the mall.

A journalist finally stumbled on the truth.

`stumble ,into phrasal verb transitive

stumble into something to become involved in something by accident:

He claims he stumbled into acting.

stumble

stum|ble 2 [ `stʌmbl ] noun count

1. ) a mistake:

He read well, with only a few small stumbles.

2. ) a fall, or a way of walking so that you almost fall