stumble, v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

stumble v.

[SE stumble]

(US black) to suffer serious problems and misfortunes, thus n. problem, misfortune.

1943		D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam News 23 Oct. 21: If you dig our stumble, you’ll see we’re done like the picture.
1944		D. Burley Orig. Hbk of Harlem Jive 78: stumble. To get into trouble, misfortune, dire predicament.

stumble and fall (v.) [fall v.¹]

to be arrested.

1944

D. Burley Orig. Hbk of Harlem Jive 17: You mean the skull stumbled and fell, tipping up in the threads he had picked up on?