tumble (tumbl)

[ a rolling or turning over; a somersault. A tumble of heels over head, a feat performed by beggar-boys on the roads. Landor , Imag. Conv., General Lacy and Cura Merina. tumbler Should I flounder awhile without a tumble Thro' this metrification of Catullus, They should speak to me not without a welcome, All that chorus of indolent reviewers. Tennyson, Experiments, Hendecasyllabics. In their [the clowns'] absurd impertinences, in their impo ible combinations, in their mistakes and tumbles , in their falling over queens and running up against monarchs. J. H. Short house, John Ingles ant, xxi. 2. A state of entanglement or confusion. John Fry began again, being heartily glad to do so, that his story might get out of the tumble which all our talk had made in it. R. D. Black more , Lorna Doone, xxx i. 3. Same as tumbling - box.- To take a tumble to one's self, to make introspection; reflect how one's conduct is viewed by others: usually in the imperative mood. [Slang.]