to fall helplessly down, end over end, as by losing one's footing, support, or equilibrium; plunge headlong

to tumble down the stairs.

to roll end over end, as in falling

The stones tumbled down the hill.

to fall or decline rapidly; drop

Prices on the stock market tumbled today.

to perform gymnastic feats of skill and agility, as leaps or somersaults.

to fall suddenly from a position of power or authority; suffer overthrow

As one dictator tumbles, another is rising to take his place.

to fall in ruins, as from age or decay; collapse; topple

The walls of the old mansion tumbled down upon the intruders.

to roll about by turning one way and another; pitch about; toss.

to stumble or fall (usually fol. by over )

to tumble over a sled.

to go, come, get, etc., in a hasty and confused way

The people tumbled out of the theater. He tumbled hurriedly into his clothes.

Informal . to understand or become aware of some fact or circumstance (often fol. by to )

He finally tumbled to what they were doing.

Rocketry . (of a missile) to rotate without control end over end.

to cause to fall or roll end over end; throw over or down.

to throw or toss about; cause disarray, as in handling or searching.

to put in a disordered or rumpled condition.

to throw, cast, put, send, etc., in a precipitate, hasty, or rough manner.

to cause to fall from a position of authority or power; overthrow; topple

They tumbled him from his throne.

to cause to fall or collapse in ruins

The wreckers tumbled the walls of the building.

to subject to the action of a tumbling box.

an act of tumbling or falling.

a gymnastic or acrobatic feat.

an accidental fall; spill.

a drop in value, as of stocks.

a fall from a position of power or authority

The great director took a tumble when he was replaced by a newcomer.

a response indicating interest, affection, etc.

She wouldn't give me a tumble.

tumbled condition; disorder or confusion.

a confused heap

a tumble of papers, ashes, pens, and keys on the desk.

Chiefly New England . a haycock. ?

take a tumble to

Australian Slang . to come to understand.

verb

bowl down , bring down , descend , dip , disarrange , disarray , disorder , disturb , do a pratfall , down , drop , fall headlong , flatten , floor , flop , go belly up , go down , hit the dirt , jumble , keel , keel over , knock down , knock over , level , lose footing , lose it , mess up , nose-dive , pitch , plummet , plunge , roll , sag , skid , slip , slump , spill , stumble , take a header , tip over , topple , toss , trip , unsettle , upset , dive , sink , overturn , subvert , unhorse , derange , disorganize , disrupt , mix up , muddle , collapse , confusion , fall , flip , heave , overthrow , rumple , somersault , twist , whirl

phrasal verb

bump into , chance on , come across , come on , find , happen on , light on , run across , run into , stumble on

noun

dive , nosedive , pitch , plunge , spill , decline , descent , dip , downslide , downswing , downtrend , downturn , drop , drop-off , skid , slide , slump , chaos , clutter , confusedness , confusion , derangement , disarrangement , disarray , disorderedness , disorderliness , disorganization , jumble , mess , mix-up , muddle , muss , scramble , topsy-turviness , agglomeration , bank , cumulus , drift , hill , mass , mound , mountain , pile , shock , stack