bowl over
bowl over — phrasal verb
- bowl overbase form
- bowls over3rd person singular
- bowling over-ing form
- bowled overpast simple
1. to crash into a person so hard that they fall over
to crash into a person so hard that they fall over
The cyclist bowled Ari over at the corner by the market.
bowl somebody over = hit and knock down
A rushing waiter bowled Christopher over beside the hotel door.
A loose dog bowled Min over as she opened the park gate.
During practice, Esteban bowled the goalkeeper over chasing a long pass.
active use in a fast-moving sports scene
Jabari was bowled over by a runner near the finish line.
passive: be bowled over by someone
- bowl a passerby over
- be bowled over by a runner
- knock down
a broader verb that does not always suggest running into someone
- run into
names the collision itself, but not always the fall that follows
Grammar Patterns
bowl somebody over
Usage Note
Usually used for sudden movement in a crowded place or game. The object is the person who falls.
Common Mistakes
2. to astonish someone in a strongly positive way
to astonish someone in a strongly positive way
The choir's final song bowled Mira over on her first visit.
performance that leaves someone happily surprised
Min was bowled over by the kindness of the new neighbors.
passive: be bowled over by kindness
The mountain view bowled Christopher over when the clouds finally cleared.
Nila's calm answer bowled the interview panel over after the crisis drill.
Mateo was bowled over by how warmly the team welcomed him.
often used for emotional or social impact
- be bowled over by the response
- bowl the audience over
- disappoint
creates the opposite reaction of admiration or pleased surprise
Grammar Patterns
bowl somebody over
be bowled over by something
Usage Note
Often appears in the passive. It is commonly used for music, kindness, beauty, or skill that is much better than expected.
Common Mistakes
Etymology
First known use
1861
1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1