stumble (redirected from stumbles on)

stumble across someone or something and stumble (up)on someone or something; stumble into someone or something

to find someone or something, usually by accident. I stumbled across an interesting book yesterday when I was shopping. Guess who I stumbled into at the library yesterday? I got lucky and stumbled on the right answer.

See also: across

stumble into someone or something 

1. to trip and lurch into someone or something. Not seeing the brick in the path, Carl tripped and stumbled into Alice. Jamie stumbled into the wall.

2. Go to stumble across someone or something.

stumble on someone or something 

1. Go to stumble across someone or something.

2. to trip over someone or something. There were three of us sleeping in the small tent. Each of us would stumble on the others whenever we went out or came in. I stumbled on the curb and twisted my ankle.

stumble over someone or something

to trip over someone or something. Tom stumbled over Bill, who was napping on the floor. Don't stumble over the laundry basket.

stumble through something

to get through a sequence of something awkwardly and falteringly. The cast stumbled through the first act and barely finished the second. Mary stumbled through her speech and fled from the stage.

See also: through

stumbling block

Fig. something that prevents or obstructs progress. We'd like to buy that house, but the high price is a stumbling block. Jim's age is a stumbling block to getting another job. He's over sixty.

See also: block

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a stumbling block

a problem which prevents someone from achieving something (often + to ) Lack of willingness to compromise is the main stumbling block to reaching a settlement. Money, obviously, is a major stumbling block in any project of this size.

See also: block

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stumble across somebody/something also stumble on somebody/something

to meet someone or find something unexpectedly Lee has stumbled across a plot to sell high-tech US weapons to international terrorists. Border Patrol agents stumbled on the drugs when they were on a routine patrol.

See also: across