- tumble
- tum•ble[[t]ˈtʌm bəl[/t]] v. -bled, -bling, n.1) to fall helplessly down, esp. headfirst2) to roll end over end, as in falling3) to fall or decline rapidly; drop:Prices on the stock exchange tumbled[/ex]4) to perform gymnastic feats of skill, as leaps and somersaults5) to fall suddenly from a position of power or authority6) to fall in ruins; collapse; topple7) to roll about by turning one way and another; pitch about; toss8) to stumble or fall (usu. fol. by over)9) to go, come, get, etc., in a hasty and confused way10) inf Informal. to understand or become aware of some fact or circumstance (often fol. by to)11) to cause to fall or roll end over end12) to put in a disordered or rumpled condition; throw or toss about13) to cause to fall from power; overthrow; topple14) to cause to collapse in ruins15) mac to subject to the action of a tumbling barrel16) an act of tumbling or falling17) a gymnastic or acrobatic feat18) an accidental fall; spill19) a drop in value, as of stocks20) a fall from a position of power or authority21) a response indicating interest, affection, etc22) tumbled condition•Etymology: 1250–1300; ME tum(b) len to dance in acrobatic style, freq. of tomben, OE tumbian
From formal English to slang. 2014.