bob up

USAGE SUMMARY

"bob up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to suddenly appear or arise unexpectedly. You can use it in a sentence as follows: As I walked through the busy street, a familiar face suddenly bobbed up in the crowd - it was my old friend from high school. An example using the phrase in a different context: I thought I had everything under control, but then a problem bobbed up at the last minute and I had to scramble to find a solution.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bob up and down like a cork.

The New York Times

Her thin shoulders bob up and down.

The New York Times

Like, a little while later bodies start to bob up?

The New York Times - Books

The women bob up and down within the pattern.

The New York Times - Arts

Having the currency bob up or down slightly makes no difference to the fundamentals.

The New York Times

He watched the line bob up and down in the water.

The Washington Post

In contrast, a stiff, unbending prosthetic knee would cause a person to bob up and down with each step.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Close disturbances and potential predators cause the tody to rapidly bob up and down, accompanied by several vocalizations.

Cornell University

Her first instinct, rather than calling a lawyer, was just to dial Bob up and try to talk to him.

The New Yorker

ME: You? Hm…[sizes Bob up, reads his aura]…you strike me as kind of a knob.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For low to high levels of aggressiveness, level 1 handling qualities are achieved in piloted simulation of a bob-up maneuver compared to level 2 for the original aircraft without a vertical axis control law.

Aerospace Science and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing digital interfaces, consider using "pop up" instead, as it's more commonly associated with notifications and windows.

Common error

While "bob up" is versatile, it can sound too informal in academic or business writing. Opt for alternatives like "emerge" or "arise" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bob up" is as an intransitive phrasal verb. It describes an action performed by a subject, indicating a sudden upward movement or appearance, often but not always related to floating as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

18%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "bob up" is a common and generally accepted phrase used to describe a sudden upward movement or appearance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most frequently employed in News & Media and Wiki contexts, with a neutral to informal register. While grammatically correct, it may be less appropriate for formal or scientific writing, where alternatives like "emerge" or "arise" might be preferred. When considering the diverse applications, it's clear that grasping the essence and potential replacements for "bob up" enriches one's proficiency in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pop up

Almost synonymous, emphasizing suddenness and unexpectedness.

arise unexpectedly

Highlights the sudden and unforeseen nature of the appearance.

spring up

Suggests a rapid and vigorous appearance.

emerge

Implies a gradual coming into view, similar to "bob up" but less abrupt.

surface

A more concise way of saying something appears from below a surface.

arise

A more formal term for coming into being or attention.

come to the surface

Similar to "surface", but more descriptive.

reappear

Indicates a return after a period of absence.

ascend

Formal term that means rise.

float to the top

Describes the literal action of rising to the surface of a liquid.

FAQs

How to use "bob up" in a sentence?

You can use "bob up" to describe something that suddenly appears or rises to the surface. For example: "The buoy continued to bob up and down in the waves."

What can I say instead of "bob up"?

You can use alternatives like "pop up", "surface", or "emerge" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "bob up" or "bob upward"?

"Bob up" is the correct and more common phrasal verb. "Bob upward" is less frequently used and might sound awkward.

What's the difference between "bob up" and "pop up"?

While both imply a sudden appearance, "pop up" often refers to digital interfaces or notifications, while "bob up" is more commonly used for physical movements, especially in water.