TUMBLE DOWN Meaning and
Definition
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Tumble down, as a phrasal verb, commonly refers to the act of falling or collapsing down suddenly or haphazardly, describing a situation or an action where something, such as a building, a structure, or even an individual, loses stability, balance, or support, leading to a sudden and disorderly descent or decline.
In a literal sense, when referring to a physical object, it describes the occurrence of a structure, construction, or edifice crumbling, deteriorating, or coming apart due to poor maintenance, old age, or external factors such as weathering or natural disasters. For example, a neglected building's walls could deteriorate to the point where they begin to fall apart, leading the structure to tumble down gradually or suddenly.
In a figurative sense, the term can also be used to convey a process, development, or situation that experiences a rapid decline or failure. It can be applied to various contexts: from describing a business or organization suffering from financial collapse or loss of credibility, to a person's emotional or physical state deteriorating rapidly or unexpectedly.
Overall, the term "tumble down" encompasses the idea of a sudden and disorderly descent, whether literal or figurative in nature, emphasizing the element of uncontrolled motion, deterioration, or decline.
Common Misspellings for TUMBLE DOWN
- tumble-deown
- tumbe-down
- tumbledown
- tumble-dow
- tumble-dowwn
- tumble-down
- tumble-doun
- fumble down
- gumble down
- yumble down
- 6umble down
- 5umble down
- tymble down
- thmble down
- tjmble down
- timble down
- t8mble down
- t7mble down
- tunble down
- tukble down
Etymology of TUMBLE DOWN
The etymology of the phrase "tumble down" can be understood by analyzing its individual components:
"Tumble" comes from the Middle English word "tumbel" and the Old English word "tumbian". Both words share a common Germanic origin, stemming from the Proto-Germanic word "tumbōną", meaning "to dance, brawl, or jump about". The sense of falling or rolling over time became associated with "tumble".
"Down" has a long history, deriving from the Old English word "dūne", which referred to a sand hill or mound. The word eventually broadened to encompass the sense of descending or falling in general.
When combined, "tumble down" essentially means to fall or collapse, with "tumble" emphasizing the action and "down" emphasizing the direction.
Idioms with the word TUMBLE DOWN
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tumble down
The idiom "tumble down" means to fall or collapse suddenly, often due to being in a state of disrepair or instability. It can also be used to describe someone's physical or mental health deteriorating rapidly.
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