stumble into
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
Get into a place or situation without planning to, by accident.
Literal meaning: To stumble (walk unsteadily) into something — physically tripping into a space.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To enter a place accidentally by tripping or moving clumsily.
"She stumbled into the darkened room and knocked over a lamp."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To end up in a situation, career, or relationship without planning or intending to.
"He stumbled into acting after a friend dared him to audition for a local play."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Used both literally (entering a place by accident) and figuratively (ending up in a situation, career, or relationship by chance). The figurative use is very common in everyday conversation and storytelling.
Commonly used with
career relationship conversation room situation adventure
Forms
Base
stumble into
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stumbles into
he/she/it
Past simple
stumbled into
yesterday
Past participle
stumbled into
have + pp
-ing form
stumbling into
continuous
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