摘要：“Topple”源自中古英语“toplen”，意为“翻滚”或“跌倒”，可能与古英语“topp” (顶部、顶端) 有关，带有“从高处坠落”的意象。这个词可能受到斯堪的纳维亚语的影响，如古诺尔斯语“toppr”（顶端）。到了16世纪，“topple”进入现代英语，

topple

英 ['tɒpl] 美 ['tɑːpl]

vt.使倒塌；推翻 vi.倒塌

“Topple”源自中古英语“toplen”，意为“翻滚”或“跌倒”，可能与古英语“topp” (顶部、顶端) 有关，带有“从高处坠落”的意象。这个词可能受到斯堪的纳维亚语的影响，如古诺尔斯语“toppr”（顶端）。到了16世纪，“topple”进入现代英语，最初主要描述物理上的倾倒或失去平衡，后来扩展到比喻用法，如政权、计划或信念的崩溃。其核心含义始终围绕“从高位跌落”或“失去稳定性”。

◉外刊例句

① 《The New York Times》 (2023年12月3日)

The protests aimed to topple the regime, but the government held firm.

抗议活动旨在推翻政权，但政府依然稳固。

② 《The Economist》 (2024年11月5日)

A single gust of wind was enough to topple the ancient tree in the village square.

一阵风就足以吹倒村广场上的那棵古老大树。

◉经典名著

① 《麦克白》（Macbeth）——威廉·莎士比亚 (1623年)

Ambition, unchecked, may topple even the mightiest throne.

野心若不受约束，可能推翻最强大的王座。

② 《双城记》（A Tale of Two Cities）——查尔斯·狄更斯 (1859年)

The old order seemed ready to topple under the weight of its own corruption.

旧秩序似乎在自身腐败的重压下即将崩塌。

◉Usage Examples

(1) The explosion toppled the near chimney.

(2) He toppled his opponent.

(3) This scandal may topple the government.

(4) The pile of books toppled over onto the floor.

(5) That Building is going to topple down.

(1) 这次爆炸把不远处的烟筒炸倒了。

(2) 他摔倒对方。

(3) 这桩丑闻有可能使政府垮台。

(4) 那一摞书倒在地上了。

(5) 那幢建筑物摇摇欲坠。

◉Usage Notes

To topple something is to knock it down. A house of cards can be toppled — so can a government.

Things can topple in several ways. If a building collapses or falls down for any reason, it topples. If you knocked over another student, you toppled that person. Governments that are overthrown are also said to be toppled. When you see the word topple, someone or something is going down.

1. [V-ERG 及物/不及物动词](使)摇摇欲坠；(使)不稳而倒下 If someone or something topples somewhere or if you topple them, they become unsteady or unstable and fall over. [V adv/prep] [V n] [Also V] [V P]

① He just released his hold and toppled slowly backwards...

他刚一松开手就缓缓向后倒下。

② Winds and rain toppled trees and electricity lines.

狂风暴雨刮倒了树木，打落了电线。

③Topple over means the same as topple .Topple over 同 topple

The tree is so badly damaged they are worried it might topple over...

这棵树严重受损，他们担心它会倒掉。

④ We lost our balance and toppled over on to a table.

我们失去平衡，倒向一张桌子。

2. [VERB 动词]推翻；颠覆 To topple a government or leader, especially one that is not elected by the people, means to cause them to lose power. [V n] [JOURNALISM 新闻]

...the revolution which toppled the regime.

推翻该政权的革命

来源：学无用的英语