come a cropper
(originally) To fall headlong from a horse.
Definitions
UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
(originally) To fall headlong from a horse.
Origin: Possibly from the phrase neck and crop, in which crop may refer to the backside of a horse. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
(informal) To die.
We are accustomed to seeing Morphy conquer brilliantly against great odds; but this time he comes a cropper.
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK
(British, idiomatic) To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.
I should feel certain that I should come a cropper, but still I'd try it. As you say, a fellow should try.
Heard in the wild
“without clear policy, ‘change’ was bound to come a cropper. but the pretty thoughtless volley (from many 'liberals' and 'progressives') currently aimed at Starmer will worsen our problems not solve them. @tombaldwin66.bsky.social @thenewworldmag.bsky.social”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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Other words near "come a cropper" (C)
combined schoolcombined statistical areacombocomb-outcombyComcarcome across withcome a gutsercome-all-yecome-all-youcome aloftcome at
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