tumble on
C1 informal inseparable both
In simple words
To find something by accident without looking for it, or to keep going in a messy way.
Literal meaning: To roll or fall forward onto something.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
(informal, somewhat archaic) To discover or find something by accident.
"While cleaning the attic, she tumbled on a box of old love letters."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To continue moving or progressing in a disorderly, chaotic, or uncontrolled manner.
"Events tumbled on without anyone really in charge."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The discovery sense is somewhat archaic and rarely used in modern speech; 'stumble on' or 'come across' are far more common. The 'continue' sense (tumble on = keep going chaotically) is also uncommon.
Commonly used with
discovery secret truth solution idea evidence
Forms
Base
tumble on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tumbles on
he/she/it
Past simple
tumbled on
yesterday
Past participle
tumbled on
have + pp
-ing form
tumbling on
continuous
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