Crossword Genius

Come a cropper as winter starts? (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fall over

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'come a cropper as winter starts?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'come a cropper as' is the wordplay.
'come' becomes 'fall' (synonyms).
'a cropper as' becomes 'over' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'fall'+'over'='FALL OVER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fall over that I've seen before include "collapse" , "Trip" , "Take a tumble" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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