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Glite Dictionary
to bounce around

to bounce around

1 3.9
Discuss ideas informally with other people
  • phrasal verb
  • /baʊns əˈraʊnd/
  • Informal
translation icon : intercambiar ideas
  • There are all sorts of opinions bouncing around inside my head, some with which I agree and some with which I do not (and I realize this may change after beginning sessions on my own).
  • bounce around ideas

That's clear about beer a bit is we're just we are just bouncing around today.

Examples

  • The team gathered to bounce around ideas for the upcoming campaign in a relaxed atmosphere.

  • They have a very human need to sit down and bounce around an idea or sketch out a design.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Remember: this is a free-form session where ideas can bounce around and different people can take the lead.

    Blog text (8)

  • There's nothing better than having a place to vent, bounce ideas around, and share war stories.

    Blog text (33)

  • During the meeting, we were able to bounce around several great ideas for the new project.

  • At the workshop, participants bounced around their thoughts on improving community engagement.

Synonyms

to chat about
vsto bounce around
  • Informal
40 1.6

To talk in a friendly, casual way about a subject

covers group idea exchange and active brainstorming rather than simple talk
to converse
vsto bounce around
29 3.3

To talk with someone in a friendly way

means sharing and developing ideas actively in group settings
to bandy about
vsto bounce around
11 6.8

Talk about an idea or name without careful thought

involves group idea exchange with more mutual consideration
to kick around
vsto bounce around
  • Informal
9 4.6

Discuss an idea informally without making a decision

focuses on exchanging views interactively rather than casual mention
to spitball
vsto bounce around
  • Informal
8 7.8

To offer ideas quickly without much planning

is more general, meaning informal idea exchange among a group
to confab
vsto bounce around
  • Informal
1 8.5

To talk briefly and informally with someone, often in private

focuses on casual sharing of ideas, not necessarily to decide
to jive about
vsto bounce around
  • Informal
8.5

To talk in a lively, informal way about things like music

is more about exchanging ideas collaboratively rather than lively chatter
to throw the bull around
vsto bounce around
  • Informal
9.9

Talk in a relaxed, joking way and make stories bigger to be funny

focuses on idea exchange and collaborative thought rather than storytelling

How Collaborative

to brainstorm
39 3.4
to bounce around
  • Informal
1 3.9
to talk over
66 3.2
to discuss
∞ 1.6
to raise
∞ 3.2
to mention
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

bounce around infinitive
bounced around past
bounced around past participle
bouncing around present participle
bounces around third person singular

Morphology

bounce + around

The literal meanings of 'bounce' (rebound/move quickly) and 'around' (about/from place to place) create a clear metaphor of ideas being sent back and forth, so there is an inferable link to exchanging thoughts. However, the conversational sense 'to discuss or exchange ideas informally' is a metaphorical extension rather than strictly compositional; learners may guess the general idea but the precise pragmatic meaning is not fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

The phrasal verb bounce around comes from the image of a ball that bounces around a room, moving from person to person. So, it means 'to discuss ideas' with others.