Stumble Meaning
Stumble Definition & Usage
To lose balance while walking or moving, resulting in a brief and unsteady step or fall.
Examples
- "He stumbled over the curb and nearly fell into the street."
- "She stumbled when she stepped on a rock, but quickly regained her balance."
- "The child stumbled and bumped into the chair, but started laughing."
- "As she walked through the dark alley, she stumbled on the uneven pavement."
- "He stumbled slightly before catching himself on the railing."
To make a mistake or falter, particularly in speech or in a task.
Examples
- "She stumbled during the presentation when she forgot her lines."
- "His words stumbled as he tried to explain the complicated theory."
- "He stumbled through his apology, not knowing exactly what to say."
- "The team stumbled in the final stages of the project, missing the deadline."
- "Despite his strong start, the writer stumbled in the second half of the novel."
Cultural Context
The word 'stumble' has both a literal and figurative meaning, often used to describe a momentary loss of balance or faltering in speech. It is common in everyday language and widely used to describe minor mishaps. Historically, 'stumble' comes from Old English and has been used in various forms to express both physical and metaphorical instability.
The Stumbling Steps
Story
The Stumbling Steps
It was a crisp autumn morning when Jake decided to take his usual walk through the park. As he strolled along the winding path, his thoughts were distracted by the upcoming meeting with his boss. He was so absorbed in his worries about the presentation that he didn't notice the loose stone in front of him. Suddenly, his foot caught, and he stumbled forward, barely managing to stop himself from falling flat on his face. He chuckled to himself, shaking off the brief moment of panic. 'Watch where you're going, Jake,' he muttered under his breath. As he continued walking, he found his mind racing. The meeting loomed ahead, and he began to falter in his thoughts, unsure of how to present his ideas clearly. When he reached the park bench, he sat down to collect himself. He needed to stop stumbling in his thoughts and focus on the task at hand. As he tried to gather his ideas, he realized how easily he had let his mind wander. The time came, and he arrived at the office, ready to present. But as he stood in front of the board, his nerves kicked in. His voice stumbled at the start, and he fumbled through his notes. It wasn't a disaster, but he could feel the hesitation in his words. By the end, he had regained some confidence, but the meeting had felt like a series of small stumbles. He knew he could do better next time. Later that evening, after a long day, Jake reflected on the meaning of his missteps. 'It's okay to stumble, as long as you keep moving forward,' he thought, smiling to himself as he finally let go of his anxiety.
