Dictionary-Definition.com :: trip up definition

Definition of 'trip up'

verb

Detect a blunder or misstep; "The reporter tripped up the senator" [syn: trip up, catch]

verb

Cause to stumble; "The questions on the test tripped him up" [syn: trip, trip up]

verb

Make an error; "She slipped up and revealed the name" [syn: stumble, slip up, trip up]

From: GCIDE

Trip \Trip\, v. t.
1. To cause to stumble, or take a false step; to cause to lose the footing, by striking the feet from under; to cause to fall; to throw off the balance; to supplant; -- often followed by up; as, to trip up a man in wrestling. [1913 Webster]
The words of Hobbes's defense trip up the heels of his cause. --Abp. Bramhall. [1913 Webster]
2. (Fig.): To overthrow by depriving of support; to put an obstacle in the way of; to obstruct; to cause to fail. [1913 Webster]
To trip the course of law, and blunt the sword. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. To detect in a misstep; to catch; to convict; also called trip up. [R.] [1913 Webster]
These her women can trip me if I err. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. (Naut.) (a) To raise (an anchor) from the bottom, by its cable or buoy rope, so that it hangs free. (b) To pull (a yard) into a perpendicular position for lowering it. [1913 Webster]
5. (Mach.) To release, let fall, or set free, as a weight or compressed spring, as by removing a latch or detent; to activate by moving a release mechanism, often unintentionally; as, to trip an alarm. [1913 Webster +PJC]