straucheln

stumble; trip

verb SHTROW-kheln Rare

Also means

falter

Usage Note

straucheln denotes losing one's footing momentarily, stopping short of a full fall. Figuratively it means to make a moral slip — common in literature and journalism: er ist im Leben gestrauchelt.

Examples

"Sie strauchelte auf dem unebenen Pflaster, fing sich aber ab."

Natural Translation

She stumbled on the uneven pavement but caught herself.

Literal Translation

She stumbled on the uneven cobblestone but caught herself.

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