come a cropper
The phrase "come a cropper" is commonly used in British English to describe unexpected failure or misfortune, originating from the idea of falling off a horse.
Definition
C1General
(idiomatic, british)To experience a sudden and severe failure or setback.
Example
- The new business came a cropper when the market crashed.
C1General
(idiomatic, british)To suffer a misfortune, especially unexpectedly.
Example
- He came a cropper during the race and had to withdraw.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "come a cropper":
fall flat on one's facetake a tumblefall off one's perchgo belly-upfall throughgo to potfall overfall foulgo awryfall down onfall aparttrip upcrash outbust one's asscome aparthave an accidentfall downcome to blowsfall outrun afoul offall offfall togethercrap outgo wrongfoul updie on the vineslip upgo to piecesfall upfall tobotched upbomb outbite the dustdie on one's arsegone wrongfall oncome to a headflake outcome offbring up shortfall intodie in the assbugger upconk outrun into the groundcome undonescrew upget the chopflunk outlose the plotfall behindtake a divedrop the ballrun agroundget into troublelose one's bottleknock into a cocked hatfall uponbelly upgo to shitstumble againstlose outgo up in smokemuck upfizzle outcome to fruitioncome short