Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/came-a-cropper/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [C](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/c/) / came a cropper

# came a cropper

idiom, verb phrase (come a cropper, comes a cropper, came a cropper)

«came a cropper» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (UK, informal) fell over badly.
2. (UK, euphemism) failed badly; something went very wrong.

### In the lessons

A jokey British phrase for a fall or a failure, softening embarrassment; in sports reports, chat, and old-fashioned speech. UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand.

### Examples

- He came a cropper on the icy path and broke his wrist.
- The favourite horse came a cropper at the last fence.
- The company came a cropper when the bank refused a loan.
- I tried to show off on my bike and came a cropper.
- The team came a cropper in the final, losing five–nil.
- Don't get cocky, or you'll come a cropper in the exam.

### Note

Nothing to do with crops or croppers on a farm. Means «fell» or «failed». Sounds light and funny, not tragic.