What does "bounce around" mean (sense 1)?

To move energetically or restlessly from place to place. Example: "The kids were bouncing around the living room, too excited to sit still."

What does "bounce around" mean (sense 2)?

To discuss or consider ideas, suggestions, or plans informally and without a definite structure. Example: "We spent the afternoon bouncing ideas around to see if we could find a creative solution."

What does "bounce around" mean (sense 3)?

To move frequently between different jobs, places, or situations without settling. Example: "After graduating, she bounced around several cities before finally settling in Lisbon."

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bounce around

B1 informal mixed transitive/intransitive

To move energetically from place to place, or to discuss ideas informally without reaching a conclusion.

In plain English

Moving quickly from one place or idea to another, like a ball bouncing.

What does "bounce around" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 A2 informal

common

To move energetically or restlessly from place to place.

"The kids were bouncing around the living room, too excited to sit still."

2 B1 idiomatic informal

common

To discuss or consider ideas, suggestions, or plans informally and without a definite structure.

"We spent the afternoon bouncing ideas around to see if we could find a creative solution."

separable

3 B1 idiomatic informal

common

To move frequently between different jobs, places, or situations without settling.

"After graduating, she bounced around several cities before finally settling in Lisbon."

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To bounce (move like a ball) in various directions around a space.

Actually means

Moving quickly from one place or idea to another, like a ball bouncing.

Usage tip

Used both literally (moving around physically) and figuratively (discussing ideas casually). The figurative sense 'bounce ideas around' is very common in workplace and creative contexts.

Words that pair with "bounce around"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

ideas suggestions thoughts place to place the room jobs

How to conjugate "bounce around"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

bounce around

I/you/we/they

3rd person

bounces around

he/she/it

Past simple

bounced around

yesterday

Past participle

bounced around

have + pp

-ing form

bouncing around

continuous

Hear "bounce around" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "bounce around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "bounce around"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

bat around flit around float around kick around move around toss around

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "bounce" All phrasal verbs with "around" More B1-level phrasal verbs