get a tumble

Variant of tumble

tumble definition

tum·ble (tumbəl)

intransitive verb tumbled -·bled, tumbling -·bling

  1. to do somersaults, handsprings, or similar acrobatic or gymnastic feats
    1. to fall suddenly, clumsily, or helplessly
    2. to fall or decline suddenly, as from power, high value, etc.
    3. to come down in ruins; collapse
  2. to stumble or trip
  3. to toss about or roll around
  4. to move, go, issue, etc. in a hasty, awkward, or disorderly manner
  5. Informal to have sudden awareness or understanding of some situation: with to

Etymology: ME tumblen, freq. of tumben < OE tumbian, to fall, jump, dance; akin to Ger tummeln, taumeln < OHG *tumalon, freq. of tumon, to turn < IE base *dheu-, to be turbid > dull

transitive verb

  1. to cause to tumble; make fall, overthrow, topple, roll over, etc.
  2. to put into disorder by or as by tossing here and there; disarrange
  3. to whirl in a tumbler (sense )

noun

  1. the act or an instance of tumbling; specif.,
    1. a somersault, handspring, etc.
    2. a fall or decline
    3. a stumble
  2. disorder; confusion
  3. a confused heap
tumble Idioms

give (or get) a tumble

Informal to give (or get) some favorable or affectionate notice, attention, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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