bounce

[baʊns]

bounce Definition

• 1. to spring back after hitting a surface
• 2. to move up and down repeatedly
• 3. to refuse to accept or return something

Using bounce: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "bounce" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The ball bounced off the wall and hit him in the face.

• Example

  She bounced the baby on her knee.

• Example

  The check bounced because there were insufficient funds in the account.

• Example

  He was bounced from the meeting for being disruptive.

• Example

  The company bounced back from bankruptcy and became profitable again.

bounce Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for bounce

• rebound
• ricochet
• spring
• jump
• jiggle

Antonyms for bounce

• stay
• settle
• accept

Idioms Using bounce

• get the bounce

  to be fired or dismissed from a job

  Example

  He got the bounce after he was caught stealing from the company.

• bounce off the walls

  to be very excited or energetic

  Example

  The kids were bouncing off the walls after eating all that candy.

• bounce a check

  to write a check for more money than is available in the account

  Example

  He bounced a check at the grocery store and had to pay a fee.

Phrases with bounce

• bounce around

  to move from place to place without a clear destination

  Example

  After college, she bounced around Europe for a few years before settling down.

• bounce back

  to recover quickly from a setback or difficult situation

  Example

  After losing his job, he bounced back by starting his own business.

• bounce off

  to share an idea or thought with someone to get their opinion

  Example

  I'm thinking of quitting my job, but I wanted to bounce it off you first.

Origins of bounce

from Middle English 'bounsen', meaning 'beat' or 'strike'

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Summary: bounce in Brief

The verb 'bounce' [baʊns] has three main meanings: to spring back after hitting a surface, to move up and down repeatedly, and to refuse to accept or return something. It can refer to physical objects like balls or people, as well as abstract concepts like ideas or emotions. 'Bounce' has several idiomatic uses, such as 'get the bounce' meaning to be fired, and 'bounce off the walls' meaning to be very excited. 'Bounce' also appears in phrases like 'bounce around' and 'bounce back,' which denote movement and recovery, respectively.