bounce around

Idioms  

1. Move around from one person or place to another. For example, The staff spent the morning bouncing around ideas to improve sales , or She had been bouncing around from one job to another . This term alludes to a ball bouncing among players. [ Colloquial ; mid-1900s]

2. Treat roughly or unfairly, as in Quit bouncing me around; I won't stand for it . This usage is based on a somewhat earlier meaning of bounce , “to beat up” or “coerce.” ] Slang ; c. 1970]

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Example Sentences

They often bounce around from team to team, as Darnold did, but never has one plumbed the depths before managing to rise up and claim the sport's ultimate prize in the ultimate NFL redemption story.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Chelsea Redeker’s 8-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son used to take turns choosing a movie, but arguments would inevitably ensue, and the child who didn’t pick would bounce around or do cartwheels while it was playing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

I’ll have to bounce around a little, but don’t worry: I’ll try to keep it to the past 425 years.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

Hearing it bounce around the Beacon felt like a sanctioned rebellion.

From Slate • Jun. 30, 2025

Without turning around, I reply, “A large, round rubber animal you bounce around on. You hold on to the ears.”

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson