spill
noun
Spill — a sudden, often comic fall from an upright, balanced position
Definition
A sudden drop from an upright position; "he had a nasty spill on the ice"
In depth
A spill is a sudden drop from an upright position, particularly common in describing physical falls, such as from a bicycle, on ice, or off a horse. The word carries a relatively light, often forgiving tone, suggesting an accident more comic or minor than seriously injurious, though it can describe genuinely dangerous falls as well.
Origin
The word's extension from its more common sense, liquid escaping its container, to describe a physical fall likely developed through the shared image of something suddenly, unexpectedly leaving its proper, controlled position, whether a person losing their balance or liquid escaping its vessel, both conceived as a sudden, uncontrolled release.
Usage examples
"He had a nasty spill on the ice, though thankfully nothing worse than a bruised ego and a sore shoulder."
"The cyclist's spill on the final turn cost him any chance of finishing among the leaders."
"Years of riding had taught her to expect the occasional spill as simply part of learning the sport."
How to use it
Spill, in this sense of a physical fall, is informal, accessible vocabulary common in sports and casual narrative writing, particularly natural in describing falls from bicycles, horses, or icy or slippery surfaces.
Related concepts
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