tripped

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tripped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the physical act of someone or something missing their footing and falling. For example: "I tripped on the stairs and twisted my ankle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Humayun recaptured the fort 15 years later, but soon after tripped down the stairs of the library and died.

The Guardian

Trimble was tripped up by a Freudian slip during his speech to 860 delegates when he said he was giving Sinn Fein 'three years' to prove they were totally committed to peaceful means.

The Guardian

When a photographer tripped and fell mid-set, Bronson brought him up to his feet.

The Guardian - Music

Security guards at Rothamsted Research called police on Sunday morning when an alarm was tripped around private land where scientists are growing a GM strain of wheat that produces a natural aphid repellent found in peppermint and other plants.

The Guardian

"In the first half we moved the ball quite well," said Rooney, who converted the penalty awarded when Omar Elabdellaoui tripped Sterling.

The Guardian - Sport

Matic prodded them level, Jasmin Handanovic did wonderfully well to deny Hazard and Costa before the Belgian was tripped by Viler's planted leg.

The Guardian - Sport

Soldado cynically tripped Joaquín on the left edge of the penalty area and from the resulting free-kick Vincenzo Montella's side were level.

The Guardian - Sport

Inside auctioneers Christie's London HQ, reporters jostled with photographers and the dignitaries tripped over the TV cables.

The Guardian - Film

His schtick – skewed angles, endless close-ups, off-centre framing – has already tripped into the realm of self-parody, but here it helps to offset what could have otherwise become a stuffy Sunday-evening television film.

The Guardian - Film

Related: Queen's speech: the day 'psychoactive drugs' tripped off the royal tongue The first Queen's speech of the second term should be golden.

The Guardian - Opinion

Old age is the seat of wisdom," said Francis, who tripped and stumbled when he greeted a senior cardinal but quickly recovered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tripped" in a narrative, ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's a literal fall or a metaphorical misstep.

Common error

Avoid using "tripped" in highly formal or technical contexts where more precise language would be appropriate. Opt for terms like "failed", "malfunctioned", or "erred" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tripped" is as the past tense of the verb "trip". It describes an action of losing balance, either literally or metaphorically. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a commonly used verb across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Film

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tripped" is the past tense of the verb "trip", used to describe the act of losing balance, either literally or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While primarily found in news, sport, and opinion pieces, "tripped" maintains a generally neutral register, making it suitable for a range of communication needs. When in doubt, consider alternatives like "stumbled" or "lost footing" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stumbled

Indicates a similar loss of balance, often less severe than "tripped".

lost footing

Describes the action of losing balance while walking or running.

misstepped

A more formal or literary way to describe a physical or metaphorical mistake.

misfired

Refers to a failure or malfunction, often in a metaphorical sense related to plans or actions.

stumbled upon

Implies an accidental discovery, diverging from the physical misstep of "tripped".

triggered

Suggests a cause-and-effect relationship, where something initiates a reaction.

activated

Refers to the initiation of a process or mechanism, different from the accidental nature of "tripped".

was caught out

Indicates being discovered in a mistake or deception.

went wrong

Indicates a deviation from the intended or correct course.

came undone

Describes a situation falling apart or failing.

FAQs

How can I use "tripped" in a sentence?

You can use "tripped" to describe the act of stumbling and falling, as in "She "tripped on the stairs"". It can also be used metaphorically to mean making a mistake.

What can I say instead of "tripped"?

Alternatives include "stumbled", "lost footing", or "misfired" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I tripped and fell"?

Yes, "I "tripped and fell"" is a common and grammatically correct phrase. The word "tripped" already implies a loss of balance, making "and fell" a natural continuation.

What's the difference between "tripped" and "stumbled"?

"Tripped" often implies a more sudden and complete loss of balance, leading to a fall. "Stumbled" suggests a less severe loss of balance, where one recovers without falling.