trip up

1. Make or cause someone to make a mistake, as in The other finalist tripped up when he was asked to spell “trireme,” or They tripped him up with that difficult question. [Second half of 1700s]

Example Sentences

On Thursday, investors will be looking for signs that the company can keep avoiding the pitfalls that have been tripping up its peers, despite the tough political environment.

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Even as the SEC keeps beating itself up, one team has so far managed to navigate the treacherous conference slate without tripping up.

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Regina was lucky enough to plant her flag and claim the well-sought title of being first in line, arriving around 6 a.m. after a quick trip up from Long Beach.

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As a CEO in the old Silicon Valley mold—an engineer who intimately knows the technology she’s selling—Su is deftly navigating challenges that have tripped up other tech-industry leaders.

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The goal now is to maintain that momentum, embrace the lessons this regular season provided, and avoid any further pitfalls that have tripped up so many previous defending champions before them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flounder 
• hesitate 
• reel 
• waver 
• wobble