tambalearse

to stagger

tambalearse(tahm-bah-leh-ahr-seh)

pronominal verb

1. (to teeter)

a. to stagger

El borracho salió del bar tambaleándose.

The drunk man staggered out of the bar.

b. to lurch

El soldado herido se tambaleó hacia la retaguardia.

The wounded soldier lurched towards the rear.

c. to sway

La camioneta se tambaleaba mientras cruzaba el terreno rocoso.

The pickup truck swayed across the rocky terrain.

d. to wobble

Durante el terremoto, los muebles se tambalearon.

The furniture wobbled during the earthquake.

2.

(figurative)

(to be unstable)

a. to totter

La confianza en el gobierno se tambaleó con los continuos paros y protestas.

The continuing protests and the strikes made the citizens' faith in the government totter.

b. to waver

El apoyo para la campaña presidencial de López se tambaleó cuando se bajó su vicepresidente.

Support for López's presidential campaign wavered when his vice president stepped down.

c. to falter

Aunque no tenía chances de ganar, su determinación jamás se tambaleó.

Although he had no chances of winning, his resolution never faltered.

tambalearse

pronominal verb

1. to stagger, to totter (bambolearse) (persona); to wobble, to be unsteady (mueble); to sway (tren)

2. to totter (gobierno, sistema)

tambalear

transitive verb

to shake; rock

pronominal verb

tambalearse

1 [+persona] to stagger; [+vehículo] to lurch; sway; [+mueble] to wobble

ir tambaleándose to stagger along

2 [+gobierno] to totter