I. tum ‧ ble 1 /ˈtʌmb ə l/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Origin: tumb 'to dance, perform as a tumbler' (11-14 centuries) , from Old English tumbian ]
1 . [always + adverb/preposition] to fall down quickly and suddenly, especially with a rolling movement
tumble over/backwards/down
She lost her balance and tumbled backwards.
A few stones came tumbling down the cliff.
2 . [always + adverb/preposition] to move in an uncontrolled way
tumble into/through/out etc
We tumbled out into the street.
3 . if prices or figures tumble, they go down suddenly and by a large amount:
Oil prices have tumbled.
tumble to
Mortgage rates tumbled to their lowest level for 25 years.
4 . [always + adverb/preposition] literary if someone’s hair tumbles down, it is long, thick, and curly:
Her long dark hair tumbled over her shoulders.
5 . literary if words tumble out of someone’s mouth, they speak very quickly because they are excited or upset
tumble out/over
The words tumbled out as if he hardly knew what to say first.
6 . [always + adverb/preposition] if water tumbles somewhere, it flows there quickly:
A narrow stream tumbled over the rocks.
7 . come tumbling down
a) if something comes tumbling down, it falls suddenly to the ground:
Removing the debris could cause the rest of the building to come tumbling down.
b) if a system, problem etc comes tumbling down, it suddenly stops working or existing:
In the last year, barriers have come tumbling down.
8 . American English to do ↑ tumbling
II. tumble 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
a fall, especially from a high place or level:
It’s possible that stocks could take a tumble next year.
⇨ ↑ rough and tumble