Come a cropper
verb
To fail miserably or make a serious mistake.
When I tried to make dinner without a recipe, I came a cropper.
Often appears as...
- come a cropper with
- come a cropper in
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To fall heavily or be taken down.
He was so clumsy on the ice that he constantly came a cropper.
Often appears as...
- come a cropper on
- come a cropper at
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To fail miserably or make a serious mistake.
When I tried to make dinner without a recipe, I came a cropper.
Often appears as...
- come a cropper with
- come a cropper in
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To fall heavily or be taken down.
He was so clumsy on the ice that he constantly came a cropper.
Often appears as...
- come a cropper on
- come a cropper at
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3British Slang
It's a British expression so it might not be understood globally, especially where British English isn't common.
In an international meeting, saying 'come a cropper' confused my American colleagues.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It doesn't mean a physical fall, but a figurative one related to making mistakes or failing tasks.
After missing his project deadline, he really came a cropper at work.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Outcome
Used to describe a situation with a poor or undesirable result, not a minor inconvenience.
I tried to fix the car myself and came a cropper when it broke down again.
Pro Tip 1/3British Slang
It's a British expression so it might not be understood globally, especially where British English isn't common.
In an international meeting, saying 'come a cropper' confused my American colleagues.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It doesn't mean a physical fall, but a figurative one related to making mistakes or failing tasks.
After missing his project deadline, he really came a cropper at work.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Outcome
Used to describe a situation with a poor or undesirable result, not a minor inconvenience.
I tried to fix the car myself and came a cropper when it broke down again.
Pro Tip 1/3British Slang
It's a British expression so it might not be understood globally, especially where British English isn't common.
In an international meeting, saying 'come a cropper' confused my American colleagues.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It doesn't mean a physical fall, but a figurative one related to making mistakes or failing tasks.
After missing his project deadline, he really came a cropper at work.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Outcome
Used to describe a situation with a poor or undesirable result, not a minor inconvenience.
I tried to fix the car myself and came a cropper when it broke down again.
Never forget "Come a cropper"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension