bucket about
C1 informal intransitive
In simple words
To get thrown around violently, like on a rough boat or bumpy road.
Literal meaning: To be swung around like a bucket sloshing with water.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
For a vehicle or vessel to be thrown around violently and erratically by rough conditions.
"The small fishing boat bucketed about on the stormy sea for hours before reaching the harbour."
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To move or rush around in a chaotic or disorganized manner.
"He's been bucketing about all morning trying to find his passport."
Usage notes
Chiefly British English. Often used to describe a small boat, car, or aircraft being tossed about in bad weather or on rough terrain.
Commonly used with
boat car aircraft waves road sea
Forms
Base
bucket about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
buckets about
he/she/it
Past simple
bucketed about
yesterday
Past participle
bucketed about
have + pp
-ing form
bucketing about
continuous
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