bowling over
Knocking someone flat
Bowling over means to knock someone down by colliding with them, like a bowling ball scattering pins: The running back bowled over the defender.
More often it describes overwhelming someone emotionally—stunning them with surprise, charm, or impressive force: Her generosity completely bowled me over.
The figurative sense suggests being knocked off balance by the unexpected.
Overwhelming surprise and wonder
- jaw-droppingExtremely surprising or impressive
- astoundingShockingly impressive
- staggeringShockingly impressive or unsteady
- mind-blowingOverwhelmingly impressive or shocking
stunning · floored · gobsmacked · dumbfounded · flabbergasted · stupefied · incredulous · awe
Able to persuade
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- charmingPleasantly attractive in manner
- disarmingAllaying suspicion through warmth
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
wooing · influencing · compelling · eloquent · persuasive · seductive · irresistible · smooth-talking
Pointed sewing fasteners
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- spareHeld in reserve
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- alleyNarrow way between buildings
lane · gutter · frame · turkey · split · tenpin · roll · hook
Too intense to withstand
- engulfingSurrounding and consuming completely
- flatteningReducing to evenness
- steamrollingOverpowering through sheer force
- crushingOverwhelming in intensity
overcoming · dominating · overtaking · inundating · swamping · flooding · besieging · bombarding
amazement
Overwhelming surprise and wonder
- jaw-droppingExtremely surprising or impressive
- astoundingShockingly impressive
- staggeringShockingly impressive or unsteady
mind-blowing · stunning · floored · gobsmacked · dumbfounded · flabbergasted · stupefied · incredulous · awe · wonderment
convincing
Able to persuade
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- charmingPleasantly attractive in manner
- disarmingAllaying suspicion through warmth
captivating · wooing · influencing · compelling · eloquent · persuasive · seductive · irresistible · smooth-talking · charismatic
pins
Pointed sewing fasteners
alley · lane · gutter · frame · turkey · split · tenpin · roll · hook · league
overpowering
Too intense to withstand
- engulfingSurrounding and consuming completely
- flatteningReducing to evenness
- steamrollingOverpowering through sheer force
crushing · overcoming · dominating · overtaking · inundating · swamping · flooding · besieging · bombarding
- knocking downtoppling, demolishing, razing, felling, bulldozing
bowling overboring
Failing to engage interest
underwhelming · disappointing · numbing · falling flat · dulling
bowling overpropping up
Supporting to prevent collapse
steadying · supporting · bracing · stabilizing · catching