that bowled me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that bowled me" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express surprise or astonishment at something unexpected. Example: "When I heard the news about her promotion, it really bowled me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That bowled me over.

The New York Times

They [the directors] had done another film about the Salton Sea [narrated by] John Waters and that bowled me over.

The Economist

But one wine that bowled me over recently is Rojac Royaz, a sparkling wine from Slovenia".

Los Angeles Times

As I entered the Javitz Center, this recreation of South Park's main street was the first thing that bowled me over.

Vice

We went out to buy the Sunday papers and, although Kenneth Tynan in the Observer was lukewarm, I read this extraordinarily appreciative review by Harold Hobson in the Sunday Times that bowled me over.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

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

That phrase really bowled me over.

Huffington Post

Her smile was something that just completely bowled me over.

Huffington Post

The one that totally bowled me over, Hogan Wines Chenin Blanc 2015 (£26.99 Handford Wines, £28 St Andrews Wine Company; 14% abv), is made by a young winemaker who romantically quotes Oscar Wilde on her back label ("I threw the pearl of my soul into a cup of wine. I went down the primrose path to the sound of flutes. I lived on honeycomb").

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I don't surprise that easily and he bowled me over.

Huffington Post

The same could not be said for the offer that bowled him over.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that bowled me" to express a strong feeling of surprise or being impressed by something unexpected. It adds a slightly informal, yet impactful, tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that bowled me" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your expressions by using synonyms like "that astonished me" or "that surprised me greatly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that bowled me" functions as an idiomatic expression. It is primarily used as a statement to express a feeling of being greatly surprised, impressed, or astonished by something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that bowled me" is an idiomatic expression used to convey a feeling of surprise, astonishment, or being deeply impressed. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in news and media contexts, offering a slightly informal yet impactful way to express personal reactions. Consider using alternatives like "that astonished me" or "that surprised me greatly" for variation. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact, so be mindful of frequency. The phrase adds a personal touch, communicating the extent to which something has made a positive impression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that astonished me

Replaces "bowled" with "astonished", emphasizing surprise.

that amazed me

Substitutes "bowled" with "amazed", indicating a sense of wonder.

that surprised me greatly

Uses "surprised" and adds "greatly" for emphasis, focusing on unexpectedness.

that impressed me deeply

Replaces "bowled" with "impressed", highlighting a strong positive impact.

that caught me off guard

Indicates unexpectedness, focusing on being unprepared for the event.

that took me by surprise

Highlights the unexpected nature of the event or information.

that left me speechless

Emphasizes the intensity of the surprise, suggesting one was rendered unable to speak.

that really struck me

Uses "struck" to convey a sudden and impactful impression.

I found that astonishing

Shifts the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning of astonishment.

I was taken aback by that

Uses "taken aback" to convey a sense of shock or surprise.

FAQs

What does "that bowled me" mean?

The phrase "that bowled me" means that something greatly surprised, impressed, or astonished you. It implies a strong positive reaction to something unexpected.

What can I say instead of "that bowled me"?

You can use alternatives like "that astonished me", "that surprised me greatly", or "that impressed me deeply" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "that bowled me over" different from "that bowled me"?

While similar, "that bowled me over" emphasizes being overwhelmed or greatly affected by something. "That bowled me" is a more general expression of surprise or impressiveness. They are often interchangeable, but the former suggests a more profound impact.

How to use "that bowled me" in a sentence?

You can use "that bowled me" in sentences like: "The originality of the performance really bowled me." or "Her unexpected generosity just bowled me."