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."
bucket about
C1 informal intransitive
To move in a rough, uncontrolled way, especially of a vehicle being tossed around in bad conditions.
In plain English
To get thrown around violently, like on a rough boat or bumpy road.
What does "bucket about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To be swung around like a bucket sloshing with water.
Actually means
To get thrown around violently, like on a rough boat or bumpy road.
Usage tip
Chiefly British English. Often used to describe a small boat, car, or aircraft being tossed about in bad weather or on rough terrain.
Words that pair with "bucket about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boat car aircraft waves road sea
How to conjugate "bucket about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "bucket about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bucket about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "bucket about"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.