Come a cropper
Meaning
To suffer a heavy fall or to experience a complete failure or disaster.
Origin
The phrase "come a cropper" gallops from 19th-century British equestrianism. A "cropper" originally referred to a horse's neck, particularly its powerful crest. When a rider "came a cropper," it described a specific, often spectacular, type of fall where they would pitch headfirst over their horse's neck. Imagine a vivid tumble, with the rider landing hard after being flung forward. This dramatic imagery of a literal, undignified fall from horseback quickly expanded beyond the stables, becoming a vivid metaphor for any sudden, significant failure or disastrous setback, whether in business, life, or love.
Examples
- He was cycling too fast down the hill and came a cropper right in front of the café.
- Their ambitious plan to launch a new product came a cropper due to unexpected production issues.