stumble

[US]/ˈstʌmbl/
[UK]/ˈstʌmbl/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

v. trip and almost fall; make a mistake or error while doing something
n. a mistake or error in action or judgment; a clumsy or unsteady movement

Phrases & Collocations

stumble upon

stumble on

stumble over

stumble across

Example Sentences

stumble upon a rare book

He was stumbled by the problem.

stumble over one's words

He stumbled along the road.

She stumbled on a stone.

he stumbled but didn't fall.

a colleague stumbled on the couple romping in an office.

she stumbled over the words.

a policeman had stumbled across a gang of youths.

stumbled but regained his balance.

He stumbled and overthrew the chair.

He stumbled over every sentence.

I stumbled across an old school friend today.

he parodied my groping stumble across the stage.

The boy stumbled on the stairs but was able to keep his feet.

The skater stumbled but at once recovered himself.

He stumbled blindly on through the dark building.

Real-world Examples

Miss Doe stumbled backwards and over the balcony.

Source: Sherlock Holmes: The Basic Deduction Method Season 2

And that's how they stumbled across it.

Source: Gourmet Base

It was at Redwood High that Robin stumbled upon the drama department.

Source: Biography of Famous Historical Figures

Harry had never seen a dementor stumble.

Source: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

You see what we just stumbled upon, morty?

Source: Rick and Morty Season 1 (Bilingual)

Because that's when you stumble upon the greatest revelations.

Source: Science in Life

He stumbled over a stone on the rough path.

Source: High-frequency vocabulary in daily life

Barbara tells me that she stumbled upon Alessandra's story serendipitously.

Source: Science in 60 Seconds - Scientific American September 2023 Compilation

A video shows her stumble before guards help her into her vehicle.

Source: VOA Special September 2016 Collection

It washed up here — in Australia — where a beach-goer stumbled upon it.

Source: PBS Fun Science Popularization

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