toppled

IPA/ˈtɒp.əl/
KK[tˈɑpəld]IPA/ˈtɑː.pəl/

toppled — verb

  • toppledpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • toppleds3rd person singular
  • toppleding-ing form
  • topplededpast simple

1. to come down suddenly after leaning too far or losing support, or to make someth

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to come down suddenly after leaning too far or losing support, or to make something tall or unsteady fall like this.

例句

The tall bookcase toppled onto the carpet when Omar pulled the bottom shelf.

intransitive: tall object + toppled

A strong gust toppled the garden umbrella beside Sora's table.

transitive: force toppled + object

同義詞
  • fall over

    the broad everyday verb; used more often for people as well as objects

  • tip over

    often stresses the moment an object leans and then falls

  • knock over

    usually means causing something to fall by hitting or pushing it

反義詞
  • steady

    means to stop something from shaking or falling

  • upright

    describes the standing position before something topples

文法句型

[object] toppled

topple + [object]

用法筆記

This sense is most often used for tall objects, piles, trees, shelves, or similar things that lose support. It focuses on falling over, not on turning completely upside down.

常見錯誤

❌Rina toppled when she felt sick on the bus.
✅Rina fell over when she felt sick on the bus.
💡for an ordinary person losing balance, 'fall over' is more natural than 'topple'.

2. to make a leader, government, champion, or other strong opponent lose power or b

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make a leader, government, champion, or other strong opponent lose power or be defeated.

例句

The army toppled the president after three days of street protests.

political use: toppled + president

A late goal toppled the defending champions in front of Vinícius's family.

sports use: toppled + champions

同義詞
  • overthrow

    stronger in political contexts and often suggests force or rebellion

  • oust

    common for forcing someone out of a job or position

  • defeat

    broader and less dramatic; used for opponents in contests

反義詞
  • keep

    means helping someone remain in power or first place

  • restore

    means putting a leader or system back after it was removed

文法句型

topple + leader / government

topple + champion / market leader

用法筆記

The object is usually someone or something already at the top, such as a government, champion, or dominant company. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about something physically falling over.

常見錯誤

❌The voters toppled the election last year.
✅The voters toppled the ruling party last year.
💡you topple the person or group that loses power, not the event itself.