get a tumble
Variant of tumble
tum·ble (tum′bəl)
intransitive verb tumbled -·bled, tumbling -·bling
- to do somersaults, handsprings, or similar acrobatic or gymnastic feats
- to fall suddenly, clumsily, or helplessly
- to fall or decline suddenly, as from power, high value, etc.
- to come down in ruins; collapse
- to stumble or trip
- to toss about or roll around
- to move, go, issue, etc. in a hasty, awkward, or disorderly manner
- 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
- to cause to tumble; make fall, overthrow, topple, roll over, etc.
- to put into disorder by or as by tossing here and there; disarrange
- to whirl in a tumbler (sense )
noun
- the act or an instance of tumbling; specif.,
- a somersault, handspring, etc.
- a fall or decline
- a stumble
- disorder; confusion
- a confused heap
give (or get) a tumble
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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