Phrase guide

bowl over

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To overwhelm; to cause to fall to the ground.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To overwhelm with astonishment or wonder; to flabbergast.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bowl, over.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

overcome with amazement

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This boggles the mind!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: flabbergast, boggle

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: surprise

5

verb

Meaning 5

cause to overturn from an upright or normal position

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The cat knocked over the flower vase
  • the clumsy customer turned over the vase
  • he tumped over his beer

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: overturn, tip over, turn over, upset, knock over, tump over

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: move, displace

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kaataa — to cause to fall to the ground
  • Finnish: lyödä ällikällä — to overwhelm with astonishment or wonder — see also flabbergast
  • German: überwältigen — to overwhelm with astonishment or wonder — see also flabbergast