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[Vocabulary] topple

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Mrs.Almost

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China's National Population and Family Planning Commission has predicted the country's population could reach 1.39 billion by the end of 2015. And also that the number of those aged 60 and above is expected to topple 200 million.
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What does it mean?
 
Raymott

Raymott

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Mrs.Almost said:
What does it mean?
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It's a misuse of the word "topple" to mean "top".
The population of over-60s is expected to top (reach or exceed) 200m.
 
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tedtmc

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Raymott said:
It's a misuse of the word "topple" to mean "top".
The population of over-60s is expected to top (reach or exceed) 200m.
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Isn't this what they call malapropism?
 
Raymott

Raymott

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tedtmc said:
Isn't this what they call malapropism?
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Possibly. There's two parts to a malapropism. First, the wrong word has to be used. Second, it has to have a humourous effect.
So, it's a judgement call.
 
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