take a bump

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a bump" is not a grammatically correct written English sentence. It is a slang phrase which, colloquially, means to inhale some type of drug, often cocaine, through one's nose. As such, it is not appropriate for formal written English and should not be used in such contexts.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Just thinking about Lilly Ledbetter and everything that she went through to fight for equal pay -- and so, you know, if I take a bump or bruise along the way, that's nothing in [comparison] to the sacrifices that the woman whose shoulders I stand upon made along the way," she said.

The Washington Post

"They should be able to take a bump or two.

Duke University

I know you want to see more of it, take a bump baby.

TechCrunch

It also has the advantage of making the overall package at least give off the appearance of durability, thanks to the rubberized edges that seem like they can take a bump or drop or two.

TechCrunch

With cocaine, you're effectively buzzing off the chemical dopamine flooding your brain every time you take a bump.

Vice

If you are planning to take a bump from the opposition cars, move to the inside of the track ever so slightly.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Sometimes it takes a bump in the road to fully open your eyes.

The New York Times - Sports

He took a bump in the closing minutes of the Durban Test and was treated for a number of minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

"The same instincts that served him so well for a year and a half -- do no harm, go slow, resist -- have now taken a bump and turned it into a major crisis," one senior Republican legislative leader said.

The New York Times

Kobe Bryant had reason to be nervous as San Antonio's Brent Barry took a bump from Derek Fisher and heaved a 3-pointer, while 18,797 people gasped and the final seconds ticked away at the AT&T Center.

The New York Times

"I took a bump to the head and was pretty dazed, had to see the physio.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a bump", be aware of your audience and the context. It's highly informal and can be misconstrued if not used carefully.

Common error

Avoid using "take a bump" in formal writing or professional communications. It's slang and inappropriate for those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a bump" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of ingesting a small amount of a substance, often illicit. As Ludwig AI explains, its correctness hinges on the context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a bump" is an idiomatic phrase primarily used in informal contexts to refer to ingesting a small amount of a substance, usually an illicit drug. Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect in formal settings, and its usage is more common in News & Media. When writing, be mindful of the audience and avoid using this phrase in formal communications. While it appears across various sources, its informality restricts its appropriateness to casual conversations or specific narrative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a snort

Similar to the query, but less common in colloquial language.

snort a line

This suggests the method of ingestion, specifically snorting, focusing on the action.

ingest a dose

This refers to consuming a substance, differing from the possible physical connotations of "take a bump".

do a hit

This is a more generic term for using drugs, less specific than "take a bump".

use cocaine

This explicitly names the drug, avoiding the ambiguity of "take a bump".

consume narcotics

This is a formal way of talking about drug consumption, less casual than the query.

indulge in drugs

Implies a sense of pleasure or habitual behavior.

experience a high

Focuses on the effect of drug use rather than the act itself.

consume a small amount

Emphasizes the quantity taken rather than the method or substance.

partake of cocaine

A more formal and less direct way of expressing drug consumption.

FAQs

What does "take a bump" mean?

The phrase "take a bump" typically refers to ingesting a small amount of a drug, often cocaine, usually by snorting it.

Is it appropriate to use "take a bump" in professional writing?

No, the expression "take a bump" is considered slang and is not appropriate for professional or formal writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives.

What can I say instead of "take a bump" if I want to be more formal?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "ingest a dose", "consume narcotics", or simply "use cocaine" if you need to be explicit.

Which is correct, "take a bump" or "take a snort"?

Both phrases, "take a bump" and "take a snort", are colloquial ways of referring to snorting a drug. The choice depends on personal preference and context. "Take a bump" might imply a smaller quantity.