trip over

USAGE SUMMARY

"trip over" is an accepted term in written English and can be used in a variety of ways.
For example: "Be careful not to trip over the rug in the hallway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is nothing to trip over!

The New York Times

Then, "Did you trip over?" he asks me.

The Guardian - Books

That way, nobody will trip over or get lost.

WikiHow

Otherwise, you may trip over and get hurt.

WikiHow

I trip over my tongue.

The New York Times - Magazine

We trip over them.

The New York Times - Health

Trip over phone cord.

The New York Times

He has to trip over it.

The New Yorker

They will trip over their own shoelaces.

The New Yorker

You might trip over them.

The Guardian - Travel

"People can trip over him".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether "trip over" refers to a physical stumble or a metaphorical difficulty, like "tripping over" one's words.

Common error

Avoid using "trip over" without a clear object. It's important to specify what someone is tripping over to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trip over" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in both literal and figurative senses, denoting a stumble or a mistake. Examples in Ludwig showcase its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

33%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trip over" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that describes the action of stumbling or losing balance, often due to an obstacle. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate mistakes or difficulties. Ludwig AI validates its versatility across various contexts. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently used in news and media and wiki contexts. When writing, ensure the object of "trip over" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "stumble upon", "lose balance", and "fall over". Therefore, using "trip over" in both literal and figurative contexts is perfectly acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose balance

Describes the action of becoming unsteady, replacing the specific action of tripping.

miss a step

Highlights the specific action of failing to place one's foot correctly.

stumble upon

Indicates an accidental encounter, shifting the focus from physical tripping to unexpected discovery.

stumble and fall

Combines the idea of an initial misstep with the resulting fall.

fall over

Implies a more severe loss of balance, resulting in a complete fall.

slip and fall

Specifies that the loss of balance was due to slipping on a surface.

take a tumble

Offers a more casual or euphemistic way to describe a fall.

stagger

Suggests an unsteady gait, often due to weakness or intoxication.

encounter an obstacle

Focuses on the obstruction that causes the tripping, rather than the act itself.

founder

Implies a failure or collapse, which can be metaphorical as well as physical.

FAQs

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

You can use "trip over" to describe physically stumbling on something, as in "Be careful not to trip over the rug". It can also be used metaphorically to mean making a mistake, such as "He tends to "trip over his words" when he's nervous".

What's a synonym for "trip over"?

Alternatives to "trip over" include "stumble upon", "lose balance", or "fall over" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "tripped over by"?

While grammatically possible, the passive voice "tripped over by" is less common than the active voice "trip over". It's generally better to say "He tripped over the rock" instead of "He was tripped over by the rock" for clarity and directness.

How can I avoid tripping over things?

To avoid physically tripping, ensure pathways are clear of obstructions like cords or clutter. Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in dimly lit areas, and wear properly fitting shoes to prevent "tripping over your own feet".