bowl over
Knock someone flat
Bowl over means to knock someone down, either literally by physical impact or figuratively by overwhelming them with surprise, emotion, or impressiveness.
A strong gust of wind might bowl you over, but so might unexpected news or someone's charm.
I was completely bowled over by her generosity.
The expression comes from bowling, where the goal is to knock down pins.
Shock with wonder
- flabbergastShock into speechlessness
- dumbfoundShock into silence
- staggerWalk unsteadily, sway
- stunDaze by force
stupefy · gobsmack · floor · shock · bewilder · overwhelm · knock sideways · blow away
Cause to fall
- upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
- upendFlip to reverse orientation
- overturnReverse or invalidate
- floorIndoor walking surface
flatten · tumble · fell · capsize · throw off balance · overbalance · collapse · spill
Impress through radiance
- wowCry of amazement
- captivateHold attention irresistibly
- aweReverent fear and wonder
- enthralCapture someone's complete attention
mesmerize · spellbind · enchant · fascinate · remarkable · extraordinary · phenomenal · spectacular
astound
Shock with wonder
- flabbergastShock into speechlessness
- dumbfoundShock into silence
- staggerWalk unsteadily, sway
stun · stupefy · gobsmack · floor · shock · bewilder · overwhelm · knock sideways · blow away · take aback
topple
Cause to fall
floor · flatten · tumble · fell · capsize · throw off balance · overbalance · collapse · spill · bring down
dazzle
Impress through radiance
enthral · mesmerize · spellbind · enchant · fascinate · remarkable · extraordinary · phenomenal · spectacular · stunning
- bring downbring down, take down, pull down, tear down, knock down
- stunstun, daze, shock, stupefy, stagger
- disruptdisrupt, disturb, upset, disorder, disorganize