bowled me over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bowled me over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express being surprised or overwhelmed by something, often in a positive way. Example: "The unexpected news of her promotion really bowled me over; I couldn't believe it!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"Bowled me over with its charm and its decency".

The New Yorker

But an eight-camera shoft of a performance in Paris "bowled me over," Glass said.

The New Yorker

And he bowled me over, so I kind of lost my balance.

The New York Times - Books

After I'd sufficiently licked the plate, the staff thought they had not impressed me enough (they had) and bowled me over with their payment process, what with all the hugging and laughter and the caramel slice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On a West Coast jaunt this April, as I walked through the Japanese gardens of Seattle, Portland and San Francisco, what bowled me over was the sheer beauty and wit of the arrangements.

The New York Times - Travel

One year he bowled me over with a gift certificate for ballroom dance lessons.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But what bowls me over is how well the author knows his characters here.

The Guardian - Books

"Aside from their value to breeders, like genes with resistance to pests or diseases, what bowls me over is their myriad shapes and colors," Ms. Goldman said.

The New York Times

And it contains a climactic scene that I just don't buy at all, a scene I detest, a horrible scene that bowls me over with the beauty and skill of its telling every time.

The New Yorker

It bowls me over.

The Guardian - Film

But what consistently bowls me over here is the profoundly artistic eye with which the game has been assembled.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While widely acceptable, "bowled me over" is more informal than "greatly impressed me".

Common error

Avoid using "bowled me over" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "greatly impressed me" or "significantly influenced me" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bowled me over" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey a strong sense of being impressed, surprised, or overwhelmed by something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe reactions to performances, gifts, or personal qualities. The expression indicates that something had a significant and positive impact on the speaker.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

20%

Books

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bowled me over" is a common idiomatic expression used to convey a strong sense of being impressed or overwhelmed. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, lifestyle, and book-related content. While it's generally acceptable, it's more informal than phrases like "greatly impressed me" and should be used with consideration in formal settings. The expression's effectiveness lies in its ability to communicate genuine admiration and surprise, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for expressing heartfelt reactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelmed me

Directly states the feeling of being overpowered.

blew me away

More informal and conveys a sense of strong impact.

astonished me

Focuses on the surprise element rather than the overwhelming aspect.

amazed me

Focuses on the feeling of wonder and surprise.

impressed me greatly

More formal and emphasizes the positive impact.

astounded me

Implies a higher degree of surprise and disbelief.

left me speechless

Highlights the inability to respond due to being overwhelmed.

took my breath away

Emphasizes the beauty or impact of something.

captivated me

Suggests being charmed or fascinated.

profoundly affected me

Highlights a deep emotional or intellectual impact.

FAQs

What does "bowled me over" mean?

The phrase "bowled me over" means that someone was greatly impressed or overwhelmed by something, often in a positive and surprising way.

How can I use "bowled me over" in a sentence?

You can say, "The performance "bowled me over" with its energy and creativity" or "Her generosity "bowled me over"; I didn't expect such kindness."

What are some alternatives to "bowled me over"?

You can use alternatives like "astonished me", "impressed me greatly", or "blew me away" depending on the context.

Is "bowled me over" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, "bowled me over" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more professional phrases like "greatly impressed me" or "significantly affected me".