Literally "one stumble, unable to rise"; used as an idiom to describe being unable to recover or pull oneself together after a single failure or defeat.

To kick backward with the hind legs, usually said of animals like horses or mules.

a backward kick with the hind legs, usually by a horse, mule, or donkey

Describes a life of extreme hardship where it is difficult to make ends meet; literally refers to stumbling while walking, used as a metaphor for a complete lack of financial resources.

(variant form) to be defeated, to meet with ruin, or to fail in an undertaking

destitute; impoverished; lacking sufficient resources

(literary) to lose one's footing and fall down; to trip