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bounce
/baʊns/
The primary image is one of elasticity and kinetic energy—something hitting a surface and immediately returning in the opposite direction. It suggests a rhythmic, springy quality that is often associated with youth, playfulness, or physical agility. In a social or emotional context, it conveys high spirits and optimism. To have "bounce" is to possess a resilient type of energy that allows someone to recover quickly from setbacks, similar to how a rubber ball recovers its shape after impact. When used in professional or technical contexts (like emails or proposals), the word takes on a cold, abrupt connotation. Here, it represents a hard boundary where something is sent back because it cannot be accepted, shifting the feeling from energetic to dismissive.
Countable when describing a single act of hitting the ground and springing back ('The ball took a high bounce'). Uncountable when describing a person's general spirited energy or the elasticity of an object ('That mattress has plenty of bounce').
意味
To be rejected or refused.
"My proposal was bounced."
コロケーション・複合語
ball bounce
The rebound of a ball off a surface.
This court has a fast bounce.
good bounce
A strong or satisfactory rebound.
The trampoline gives a good bounce.
energy bounce
A surge or return of energy.
I felt an energy bounce after the coffee.
bounce house
An inflatable structure for children to jump in.
The kids loved the bounce house.
句動詞
bounce around
To move energetically or randomly; to discuss ideas.
Ideas were bouncing around the room.
bounce back
To recover quickly from a setback or illness.
She always bounces back quickly.
bounce off
To rebound from a surface; to reflect ideas.
Let me bounce this idea off you.
bounce out
To be eliminated from a competition or game.
He was bounced out in the first round.
イディオム・ことわざ
bounce a check
To have a check returned by the bank because of insufficient funds.
He had to bounce a check to pay rent.
bounce ideas off someone
To discuss ideas with someone to get their opinion.
Can I bounce some ideas off you?
bounce someone on the knee
To make a baby jump up and down on one's knee.
She loved to bounce the baby on her knee.
語源
The word 'bounce' entered English in the late 15th century, likely originating from Middle Dutch 'boncen' or Middle Low German 'bonzen', meaning 'to strike or beat'. It's thought to be an imitative word, suggesting the sound of repeated impacts. Initially, it was used to describe the act of striking something forcefully, often with a drum-like sound. By the 16th century, its meaning evolved to include the action of springing back after hitting a surface, particularly seen in the context of balls or other elastic objects. This shift reflects a growing interest in games and sports that utilized such rebound properties. The sense of moving energetically or jumping up and down developed later, around the 18th century, capturing the lively, repetitive motion associated with rebounding. The figurative sense of being rejected or refused emerged in the late 19th century, possibly influenced by the idea of something being thrown back or denied.