come a cropper

phrase

Definition of come a croppernext
1
as in collapse
to be unsuccessful To her disappointment, her plan came a cropper.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fall short
to go wrong He tried to scale the fence but came a cropper.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for come a cropper
  1. fall short
  2. fall flat
  3. lay an egg
Phrase
  • Meta Platforms, which is pushing its Muse AI agent, lost 7% after reporting stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell short.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, missing nine free throws in a seven-point loss wasn’t the only reason Orlando fell short to Atlanta in its season-opener.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall short
Phrase
  • Ohioans are getting bombarded with Republican ads on tax cuts, but the message is falling flat with many voters who feel the weight of higher prices.
    — Jarrell Dillard, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In its uncertain tonality and zany humor that falls flat, that’s the Waititi film that Klara and the Sun most resembles.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall flat
Phrase
  • Same with the Jets, who simply could not go down to Nashville and lay an egg the size of a bowling ball against their former coach, Robert Saleh.
    — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of lay an egg
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

come about
come a cropper
come across
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Cite this Entry

“Come a cropper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/come%20a%20cropper. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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