ENGLISH
REFERENCE

come a cropper

idiom
Meaning

To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.


Origin

disputed origin

Possibly from the phrase neck and crop, in which crop may refer to the backside of a horse.

Examples
SIMPLE

He tried to ride the bike too fast and came a cropper.

CONTEXTUAL

The company came a cropper when they invested all their money in a failing project.

COMPLEX

Despite his careful planning, the ambitious politician came a cropper after a scandal surfaced during the final week of the campaign.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  2. 02

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

  3. 03

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

  4. 04

    come a long way

    To make significant progress.

  5. 05

    come again

    A polite formula used when one has not heard or understood what has been said, or to indicate surprise.

  6. 06

    come alive

    to become responsive and animated.

  7. 07

    come along

    To arise, appear (make an appearance), come into being.

  8. 08

    come and go

    To repeatedly appear and disappear; to be transient.

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