The phrasal verb "bounce back" is predominantly used in informal settings but can also appear in more formal contexts, particularly in writing or discussions about recovery scenarios. It generally describes the process of recovering quickly or returning to a previous good condition after a setback, injury, or failure. In informal conversation, it might be used to chat about someone recovering well after a bout of illness or getting over a difficult breakup. Formally, it could be used in business discourse to discuss a company’s recovery from a financial downturn. Usage is fairly common in both spoken and written English, due in part to its vivid metaphorical imagery, suggesting resilience akin to a ball bouncing back after hitting the ground. This phrasal verb is often used across various contexts, from sports, where athletes might "bounce back" from injury, to emotional resilience, as someone "bouncing back" after a challenging personal life event.
B1
Intermediate
1. To recover quickly after an illness, setback, or difficult situation.
After the financial crisis, the economy began to bounce back within a few years.
Despite the defeat, the team is confident they will bounce back in the next match.
2. To return to a previous level of success or prosperity.
The company bounced back from the decline by innovating and expanding its product line.
He was able to bounce back from a poor start to make a respectable finish in the race.