# thump around

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thump-around
Updated: 2026-07-26

## Definition

to move from place to place while making loud, heavy hitting sounds with your feet or body.

For teachers: to move about a space while producing heavy, dull, rhythmic thudding sounds, typically through heavy footsteps or the handling of bulky objects. The verb is intransitive and emphasizes the auditory quality of the movement.

## Examples

- The neighbors' kids always thump around upstairs late at night.
- I could hear him thumping around in the attic, probably looking for the old holiday decorations.
- The heavy-set man continued to thump around the wooden deck, his boots striking the planks with a resonance that echoed through the quiet harbor.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by a preposition of place like 'in', 'on', or 'upstairs'.
- Teaching tip: use this to teach onomatopoeic verbs; 'thump' mimics the sound of a heavy blow, helping students visualize the weight and noise of the movement.

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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.