tumble

To fall while rolling or turning over, often several times.

• The ball tumbled downhill.
• He tripped and tumbled down the steps.
• Loose stones tumbled into the stream.

How to use it: tumble down something (The boxes tumbled down the stairs.); tumble into something (She lost her balance and tumbled into the ditch.)

Similar words: fall, roll

Common phrases: tumble down stairs, tumble over something, tumble into something

To become much lower very quickly.

• Share prices tumbled yesterday.
• Sales have tumbled since the factory closed.
• The currency could tumble further this week.

How to use it: tumble to something (The share price tumbled to its lowest level in years.); tumble by something (Sales tumbled by twenty percent.)

Similar words: plummet, drop, fall

Opposites: soar, rise

Common phrases: prices tumble, shares tumble, tumble in value

To make hair, clothes, or a bed untidy.

• The wind tumbled her hair.
• The children tumbled the bed during their game.
• He had tumbled the sheets while searching for his watch.

Similar words: rumple, tousle, mess up

Opposites: smooth

Common phrases: tumble someone’s hair, tumble the sheets, tumble a bed

A fall in which someone or something may roll or turn over.

• She took a tumble.
• A tumble down the steps hurt his knee.
• The children laughed after their tumbles in the snow.

Similar words: fall, spill

Common phrases: take a tumble, nasty tumble, tumble downhill