Come a cropper

usgb
verb

To fail miserably or make a serious mistake.

When I tried to make dinner without a recipe, I came a cropper.
Visual representation of "come a cropper" - To fail miserably or make a serious mistake.

Often appears as...

  • come a cropper with
  • come a cropper in

Usage tips

Disapproving

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "come a cropper"
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British Slang

It's a British expression so it might not be understood globally, especially where British English isn't common.

Illustration for British Slang
In an international meeting, saying 'come a cropper' confused my American colleagues.
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Not Literal

It doesn't mean a physical fall, but a figurative one related to making mistakes or failing tasks.

Illustration for Not Literal
After missing his project deadline, he really came a cropper at work.
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Negative Outcome

Used to describe a situation with a poor or undesirable result, not a minor inconvenience.

Illustration for Negative Outcome
I tried to fix the car myself and came a cropper when it broke down again.
Visual representation of the word "Come a cropper"

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