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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Origin: | tumb 'to dance, perform as a tumbler' (11-14 centuries), from Old English tumbian |
1 [always + adverb/preposition] to fall down quickly and suddenly, especially with a rolling movement
tumble over/backwards/down 
She lost her balance and tumbled backwards.A few stones came tumbling down the cliff.
She lost her balance and tumbled backwards.A few stones came tumbling down the cliff.2 [always + adverb/preposition] to move in an uncontrolled way
3 if prices or figures tumble, they go down suddenly and by a large amount : Oil prices have tumbled.
Oil prices have tumbled.4 [always + adverb/preposition] literaryHBH if someone's hair tumbles down, it is long, thick, and curly : Her long dark hair tumbled over her shoulders.
Her long dark hair tumbled over her shoulders.5 literary if words tumble out of someone's mouth, they speak very quickly because they are excited or upset
6 [always + adverb/preposition] if water tumbles somewhere, it flows there quickly : A narrow stream tumbled over the rocks.
A narrow stream tumbled over the rocks.7
come tumbling down
a) if something comes tumbling down, it falls suddenly to the ground : Removing the debris could cause the rest of the building to come tumbling down.
Removing the debris could cause the rest of the building to come tumbling down.b) if a system, problem etc comes tumbling down, it suddenly stops working or existing : In the last year, barriers have come tumbling down.
In the last year, barriers have come tumbling down.8 American EnglishDSO to do tumbling
