Stumble on Meaning in English
expression
ˈstəmbəɫ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
STUM-buhl-awn
stˈʌmbəl/ /ˈɒn
STUM-buhl-on
Definition
To find or encounter something or someone by accident, without looking for it. Can also mean to almost fall because you trip over something.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often used for lucky findings ('stumble on a solution', 'stumble on an old friend'). Can also refer to physically tripping over something. 'Stumble upon' is a synonym. Not used for planned discoveries.
Spanish: encontrar por casualidad - tropezar conPortuguese (BR): esbarrar em - encontrar por acasoPortuguese (PT): tropeçar em - encontrar por acasoChinese (Simplified): 无意中发现 - 偶然遇到Chinese (Traditional): 無意中發現 - 偶然遇到Hindi: अचानक मिल जाना - ठोकर खाना (के साथ)Arabic: العثور على بالصدفة - يصطدم بـBengali: হঠাৎ খুঁজে পাওয়া - হোঁচট খাওয়াRussian: наткнуться - споткнутьсяJapanese: 偶然見つける - つまずくVietnamese: tình cờ phát hiện - vấp phảiKorean: 우연히 발견하다 - 발이 걸리다Turkish: rastlamak - tökezlemekUrdu: اتفاقاً ملنا - ٹھوکر کھاناIndonesian: tidak sengaja menemukan - tersandung
Example Sentences
I stumbled on an interesting book in the library.
basic
He stumbled on a rock and almost fell.
basic
They stumbled on a cute café while walking downtown.
basic
Sometimes you stumble on great ideas when you least expect it.
natural
I stumbled on an old photo of us while cleaning the closet.
natural
You never know what you'll stumble on if you just explore a little.
natural