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bowl over

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bowl someone over

 

1. Lit. to knock someone over. (Fixed order.) We were bowled over by the wind. Bob hit his brother and bowled him over.

2. Fig. to surprise or overwhelm someone. (Fixed order.) The news bowled me over. The details of the proposed project bowled everyone over.

See also: bowl

bowl somebody over

also bowl over somebody

1. to cause someone to fall by hitting them with your body Reagan burst through the door, practically bowling over Jeanne.

2. to completely surprise someone I was totally bowled over by the beautiful gift from the office staff. The party completely bowled him over.

Etymology: based on the game of bowling, in which a ball is rolled toward a group of wooden objects with the intention of making them fall

See also: bowl

bowl over

Astonish, surprise greatly, overwhelm, as in I was simply bowled over by their wonderful performance. This term originated in cricket, where it means "to knock all the bails off the wicket." [Mid-1800s]

See also: bowl

bowl over

v.

1. To knock someone or something down to the ground: The kids ran down the hallway, bowling over everyone in their way. A strong wind will bowl that billboard over.

2. To make a powerful impression on someone; astound someone: She bowled over everyone at the meeting with her amazing presentation. His new songs bowled me over, so I bought his new CD. You must go hear this poet—you will be bowled over!

See also: bowl