come a cropper
to fail badly, or to fall from a horse or have a bad accident in a vehicle

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

come a cropper
1.
to fall to the ground.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell came a cropper last week on the catwalk of a Paris fashion show.

2.
to make a mistake or to have something bad happen to you which makes you less successful than before.
The leading actor came a cropper when he forgot his lines halfway through the second act.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

come a cropper
to fail
The man came a cropper in the chess tournament and that is why he is sad.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

come a cropper
1. To fall off your horse.
John's horse stumbled, and John came a cropper.
2. To fail.
Mr. Brown did not have enough money to put into his business and it soon came a cropper.
Compare: RIDING FOR A FALL.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲