# bounce back

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bounce-back
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to return to a normal or successful state quickly after a difficult time or a failure.

For teachers: To recover quickly from a setback, illness, or period of adversity. The verb is intransitive and describes a return to a previous state of health or success.

## Examples

- The economy is starting to bounce back after the long recession.
- Even though she lost the first set, the tennis player managed to bounce back and win the match.
- Despite the catastrophic failure of their initial product launch, the startup managed to bounce back by pivoting their business model and securing fresh venture capital.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He bounced back the failure." but "He bounced back from the failure." — The phrase is intransitive and requires the preposition 'from' to link it to the cause of the setback.

## Usage notes

- This is an intransitive phrasal verb and does not take a direct object.
- Teaching tip: Contrast this with 'recover' to show how 'bounce back' emphasizes the speed and energy of the return to form.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.