topple

/ˈtɒpl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtɑːpl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtä-pəl/ (ame, mw)

topple — verb

  • topplepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • toppleshe / she / it
  • toppledpast simple
  • toppling-ing form

1. When a person or thing becomes unbalanced and falls over, or when a push, shake,

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

When a person or thing becomes unbalanced and falls over, or when a push, shake, or impact makes this happen — for example, a pile of plates toppling off a counter, or a rider toppling from a horse.

例句

Theo stacked the books too high, and the whole pile toppled onto the floor.

intransitive: topple + adverb/preposition phrase

A strong gust of wind toppled the garden umbrella, sending it rolling across the lawn.

transitive: topple + object

同義詞
  • tumble

    suggests falling awkwardly or end over end, often with more motion than topple

  • collapse

    implies a structure or support giving way entirely, not just losing balance

  • fall over

    more general and less dramatic than topple; covers any downward motion

反義詞

文法句型

topple + object (transitive)

topple + (adverb/preposition phrase) (intransitive)

用法筆記

With an object (transitive), the subject is the force or action that causes the fall; without an object (intransitive), the subject is what falls. This is the only sense that can be used without an object.

常見錯誤

❌The glass toppled from the table when I walked past.
✅The glass fell from the table when I walked past.
💡'topple' suggests losing balance from a stable position; a glass that is merely knocked over is better described with 'fall' or 'tip over'.
❌She toppled the tower of blocks.
✅She toppled the tower of blocks.
💡This is actually correct, but learners often add 'over' redundantly: 'She toppled over the tower' is wrong because 'topple over' is intransitive (the tower toppled over).

2. to force a person or group in power — such as a president, prime minister, or go

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to force a person or group in power — such as a president, prime minister, or government — to step down, often through protests, a vote of no confidence, or military action.

例句

The protesters vowed to topple the corrupt regime that had ruled the country for two decades.

topple + regime — typical political object

A series of scandals finally toppled the prime minister after just six months in office.

topple + [leader] after + [time]

同義詞
  • overthrow

    almost identical in meaning, but 'overthrow' often implies violence or a coup; 'topple' can be non-violent (e.g. a vote)

  • oust

    more specific to removing a person from a position, often through a vote or internal pressure

  • depose

    formal, used for removing a monarch or very senior leader

反義詞
  • install

    to put someone into power

  • appoint

    to officially give someone a position of authority

文法句型

topple + government/leader/regime

用法筆記

Subject can be a person (a rebel leader), a group (protesters, the military), or an abstract cause (scandal, economic crisis). Object is always a person or institution in power.

常見錯誤

❌The army toppled the rebel group.
✅The army defeated the rebel group.
💡'topple' is used for those in power, not those challenging it. The rebels are trying to topple the government, not the other way around.

3. to beat an opponent in a contest, especially when they are the top-ranked or mos

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to beat an opponent in a contest, especially when they are the top-ranked or most likely to win — used in sports, business rankings, and other competitive fields.

例句

The young tennis player toppled the defending champion in three straight sets at Wimbledon.

topple + defending champion

A small tech start-up toppled the industry giant with its innovative new smartphone design.

topple + [company/competitor] — business usage

同義詞
  • defeat

    general term for winning against someone; lacks the 'knock off the top' nuance

  • overthrow

    more dramatic, often used for political contexts but works for competitions too

  • beat

    informal and very general; 'topple' adds the idea of a high-ranked opponent

反義詞

文法句型

topple + opponent/team/champion

用法筆記

Strongly implies that the opponent was in a superior position (champion, leader, top-ranked). Not used for ordinary wins against equal opponents. Compare sense 2 — the core image is knocking someone off the top position.

常見錯誤

❌Our team toppled the last-place team 5-0.
✅Our team beat the last-place team 5-0.
💡'topple' only works when the opponent is ahead of you in ranking or is the favourite to win.