1 B2 neutral
To rise suddenly to the surface of water, as a floating object or person does.
"He disappeared beneath the waves and then bobbed up a few metres away, laughing."
inseparable
bob up
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To rise or appear suddenly and unexpectedly, like an object bobbing to the surface of water.
In plain English
To suddenly appear, like a ball popping up out of the water.
What does "bob up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To appear or reappear suddenly and unexpectedly, especially after an absence.
"Just when we thought the problem was solved, it bobbed up again at the next board meeting."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move upward with a bouncing or floating motion.
Actually means
To suddenly appear, like a ball popping up out of the water.
Usage tip
Used both literally (a floating object rising to the surface) and figuratively (a person or problem appearing unexpectedly). The figurative sense is common in British English. Often implies that the appearance is somewhat inconvenient or surprising.
Words that pair with "bob up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
surface water problem issue face name
How to conjugate "bob up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bob up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bobs up
he/she/it
Past simple
bobed up
yesterday
Past participle
bobed up
have + pp
-ing form
bobing up
continuous
Hear "bob up" in the wild
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