bounce back
Meaning
To recover quickly from a setback, illness, or failure and return to a normal or successful state.
Origin
From the literal idea of a ball or object rebounding after hitting a surface; by the mid-20th century it was widely used metaphorically for recovering after difficulties.
Notes
Positive, informal-to-neutral phrasing highlighting resilience. Used for health, mood, performance, and business results. Implies a relatively quick recovery.
Examples
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She got laid off last year, but she bounced back and started her own business.
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The team lost badly on Friday, yet they bounced back with a win on Sunday.
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After a long illness, heβs finally starting to bounce back.
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Stocks dipped in the morning, then bounced back by the close.
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It took time to bounce back from the breakup, but she feels like herself again.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Common patterns: "bounce back from + noun" (bounce back from an injury), "bounce back after + event". Verb inflects normally (bounced back, bouncing back). Also used as a noun phrase: "a bounce-back" (e.g., bounce-back win/season).
Synonyms
- recover
- rebound
- get back on oneβs feet
- come back
- pick oneself up
Antonyms
- give up
- give in
- fall apart
- worsen
- decline