to trip over something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to trip over something' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to clumsily stumbling or falling over something, usually as a result of not paying attention. For example: "I was so absorbed in my phone that I didn't see the box and ended up tripping over it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

pic.twitter.com/0Sjy5GMPp4 — Hadley Freeman (@HadleyFreeman) March 3, 2014 At this point I felt for my own well-being it was time to go home, only to trip over something on the floor.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It happened so quickly that I thought he must have tripped over something.

The New Yorker

You can also try walking backwards but only if the path is clear or you may injure yourself by tripping over something.

WikiHow

If there's nothing handy to trip over, he goes and finds something a rock, maybe and then trips over it.

The New Yorker

There is nothing to trip over!

The New York Times

It's so refreshing to trip over someone doing something small and unique.

The New York Times - Style

This takes practice; have a spotter to point when you're about to trip over someone or something.

WikiHow

It will be dark, so it's easy to trip over or run into something.

WikiHow

He has to trip over it.

The New Yorker

"People want to trip over the art," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

With her vision problems, she tends to trip over them.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context makes it clear what the "something" is that someone might "trip over". This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to trip over something" repeatedly in descriptive passages. Vary your language with synonyms like "stumble upon" or "encounter" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to trip over something" functions as an infinitive phrase. It often acts as part of a larger verb phrase, describing an action where someone loses balance due to an obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to trip over something" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an accidental loss of balance due to an obstruction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It finds frequent use across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki sources, and maintains a generally neutral tone. While alternatives like "to stumble upon something" or "to fall over something" exist, the phrase remains a clear and effective way to convey the action of tripping. Remember to provide sufficient context to clarify what the "something" is and avoid overuse in descriptive writing. Ensure clarity to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to trip on an object

More specific, replacing "something" with "object".

to fall over something

Emphasizes the falling action more than the cause.

to trip because of something

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship.

to stumble upon something

Focuses more on accidental discovery than physical tripping.

to be tripped by something

Changes the voice to passive, emphasizing the cause.

to lose one's footing on something

Highlights the instability and loss of balance.

to misstep on something

Focuses on the incorrect placement of the foot.

to take a tumble over something

Adds a more playful or less serious tone to the fall.

to blunder into something

Implies clumsiness and lack of awareness.

to encounter an obstacle

A more formal and general way to describe tripping.

FAQs

How can I use "to trip over something" in a sentence?

You can use "to trip over something" in sentences like, "I didn't see the toy on the floor and was about "to trip over something"" or "Be careful not "to trip over something" in the dark."

What's the difference between "to trip over something" and "to stumble upon something"?

"To trip over something" implies a physical obstruction causing a loss of balance, while "to stumble upon something" ("to stumble upon something") suggests a chance discovery.

What are some other ways to say "to trip over something"?

Alternatives include "to fall over something", "to stumble upon something" or "to lose one's footing on something", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to trip over something" formal or informal?

"To trip over something" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both informal and formal contexts.