trip up

To make someone give a wrong answer or make a mistake, sometimes deliberately.

• That question tripped me up.
• The lawyer tried to trip up the witness.
• Small differences in spelling can trip learners up.

How to use it: trip someone up (The unusual wording tripped me up.)

Similar words: catch out, confuse

Common phrases: trip up someone, trip up a student

To make a mistake, especially with something difficult or confusing.

• I tripped up on one question.
• Even experienced writers trip up sometimes.
• Where did you trip up in the calculation?

How to use it: trip up on something (I tripped up on the last question.)

Similar words: make a mistake, slip up

Common phrases: trip up on something, trip up again

To catch your foot on something and lose your balance or fall.

• I tripped up on the stairs.
• She tripped up over a stone.
• Be careful you do not trip up.

How to use it: trip up over something (He tripped up over a loose cable.)

Similar words: trip, stumble

Common phrases: trip up on something, trip up over something

To make someone lose their balance or fall by blocking or catching their foot.

• He tried to trip me up.
• The defender tripped up the striker.
• A raised paving stone can trip people up.

How to use it: trip someone up (A loose cable tripped her up.)

Similar words: trip

Common phrases: trip up someone, trip up a player