take a spill
Trip and fall
To take a spill is to fall, usually suddenly and unexpectedly.
The phrase often describes tumbles from bikes, skateboards, or horses, or slips on ice or stairs: She took a spill on the wet pavement.
The expression treats the fall as something that happens to you rather than something you do—an accident absorbed rather than caused.
Uncontrolled rolling descent
- stumbleLose footing momentarily
- tripPlanned travel somewhere
- slipMinor error or misstep
- toppleCause to fall
plunge · collapse · crash · wipeout · faceplant · pratfall · header · nosedive
Pedal-powered two-wheeler
- motorcyclePowered two-wheeler
- skateboardWheeled board for riding
- skiingSnow sport on runners
- ice skatingGliding across frozen surfaces
rollerblading · horseback · wet floor · stairs · curb · pothole · loose gravel · slippery surface
Lacking physical coordination
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- uncoordinatedLacking physical grace
- klutzAwkward, graceless person
- butterfingersClumsy dropper of things
maladroit · ungainly · fumble · misstep · bungle · oafish · gawky · wobbly
Discolored tissue injury
- scrapeRub harshly against
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- sprainLigament stretch injury
- fractureSplit in hard material
contusion · bump · swelling · road rash · skinned knee · twisted ankle · soreness · bandage
Showing visible embarrassment
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
- sheepishnessTimid embarrassment after wrongdoing
blush · flustered · self-conscious · awkward moment · laughingstock · dignity · pride · brush it off
tumble
Uncontrolled rolling descent
topple · plunge · collapse · crash · wipeout · faceplant · pratfall · header · nosedive · sprawl
bicycle
Pedal-powered two-wheeler
- motorcyclePowered two-wheeler
- skateboardWheeled board for riding
- skiingSnow sport on runners
ice skating · rollerblading · horseback · wet floor · stairs · curb · pothole · loose gravel · slippery surface · banana peel
clumsy
Lacking physical coordination
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- uncoordinatedLacking physical grace
- klutzAwkward, graceless person
butterfingers · maladroit · ungainly · fumble · misstep · bungle · oafish · gawky · wobbly · unsteady
bruise
Discolored tissue injury
fracture · contusion · bump · swelling · road rash · skinned knee · twisted ankle · soreness · bandage · ice pack
red-faced
Showing visible embarrassment
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- chagrinDistress from wounded pride
sheepishness · blush · flustered · self-conscious · awkward moment · laughingstock · dignity · pride · brush it off · play it cool
take a spillstand
Upright support structure
stand firm · stand tall · hold steady · land on one's feet · stand one's ground
take a spillstick the landing
Finish a routine flawlessly
nail it · pull it off · recover · glide
take, takes, taken, taking, taker, takers, intake, uptake, mistake