When it comes to finding synonyms for the phrase "trips over," there are a variety of options available. Some alternatives might include "stumbles," "falls," "slips," "tumbles," or "loses balance." Other related phrases might include "takes a spill," "goes sprawling," "takes a tumble," or "takes a dive." Depending on the context in which the phrase is being used, different options might be more appropriate than others. In general, however, all of these options should convey a sense of stumbling or falling in a way that is unexpected or unintentional.