# bowl up

CEFR C2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bowl-up
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to arrive or walk up to someone in a very confident and friendly way.

For teachers: to arrive or approach a person or place in a confident, casual, or nonchalant manner. The verb is intransitive and typically occurs in informal British contexts.

## Examples

- He just bowled up to me and started talking.
- We were waiting for the bus when Sarah bowled up, acting like nothing was wrong.
- Despite the gravity of the situation, the young executive bowled up to the podium with an air of unearned confidence that unsettled the board.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He bowled up me." but "He bowled up to me." — The verb requires the preposition 'to' when followed by the person being approached.

## Usage notes

- Primarily used in British English to describe a cheerful or slightly arrogant arrival.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'stroll up' or 'saunter' to highlight the specific nuance of bouncy, cheerful confidence.

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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.