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stumble
To trip or lose balance while walking or moving, often resulting in a fall or near fall.
Examples:
- I stumbled on the last step and nearly fell down the stairs.
- Be careful not to stumble when you're going down the stairs, especially if you're in a hurry.
misstep
An error, especially one that results in a miscalculation or physical slip.
Examples:
- He had a misstep while descending the stairs, which caused him to almost fall.
- A misstep can lead to accidents, so always pay attention when you walk.
trip
To catch one's foot on something and stumble or fall.
Examples:
- She tripped on the carpet just as she was stepping off the last stair.
- Watch out for that loose board; it might trip you as you go down the stairs.
slip
To lose one’s footing while walking or running, causing a fall or stumble.
Examples:
- He slipped on the wet stairs and grabbed the handrail to steady himself.
- The ice caused her to slip as she was going down the outdoor steps.
a slip of the foot
A small mistake or miscalculation that leads to an unfortunate physical consequence.
Examples:
- He had a slip of the foot and tumbled down the stairs, but fortunately, he wasn't hurt badly.
- A slip of the foot can happen to anyone if they're not being careful.
gravity's pull
A metaphorical expression referring to the effect of gravity, often suggesting the inevitability of falling.
Examples:
- In the moments of his stumble, he felt the weight of gravity's pull.
- Every time I miss a step, I am reminded of gravity's pull teaching me to be cautious.