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dégringoler

to tumble down

verb deh-gran-goh-LAY Rare

Also means

to plummet

Usage Note

Dégringoler vividly describes a rapid, uncontrolled fall down stairs or a slope, or a sharp drop in value or status. It is used both literally (dégringoler les escaliers) and figuratively (les prix ont dégringolé). The word has an expressive, informal feel and is more colourful than the neutral tomber.

Examples

"Il a dégringolé dans l'escalier."

Natural Translation

He tumbled down the stairs.

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