bowl over

verb

bowled over; bowling over; bowls over

transitive verb

1
: to take unawares
2

Examples of bowl over in a Sentence

she was bowled over to learn that she had a long-lost sister
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jackson committed two bad first-quarter fouls in their most recent matchup, bowling over Moses Moody unnecessarily while chasing a rebound for his second whistle at the 8:40 mark. Anthony Slater, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Those musings have caused alarm among some critics who have watched the president bowl over guardrails and norms in his first two months back in office. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025 In a bowl over simmering water (aka double boiler), melt butter, chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025 Step 3 Place a second medium heatproof bowl over the pot and turn the heat to medium-low. Janice Feuer Haugen, Saveur, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bowl over

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bowl over was in 1867

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Cite this Entry

“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowl%20over. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

bowl over

verb
1
: to hit and knock down while quickly moving past
2
: to greatly surprise or impress
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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