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Bounce off

English translation: offer ideas for reflection to see if the recipient perceives errors/to see what he thinks of them

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:Bounce off
Selected answer:offer ideas for reflection to see if the recipient perceives errors/to see what he thinks of them
Entered by: Hakki Ucar

15:04 Jan 16, 2007
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Slang / business idiom
English term or phrase: Bounce off
What describes the meaning of "bounce off" in the following sentences:
1-They want to bounce some suggestions off Kris,because she has good judgement.
2-He bounced some ideas off me but didn’t come up with a new plan.
3-Let’s bounce some ideas off the boss and see what he thinks about them.
Hakki Ucar
Türkiye
Local time: 19:07
offer ideas for reflection to see if the recipient perceives errors/to see what he thinks of them
Explanation:
The idea behind this idiom would seem to be: does the idea retain its shape when it 'bounces off'? A good rubber ball will not lose its plasticity; it will come back, after the temporary deformation that gives it its 'bounce', as resilient as ever. If the idea does not bounce, it falls flat, figuratively. If it does 'bounce', it means the listener considers it sound in its conception; that person may even have squeezed and reshaped it a little.
Selected response from:

Anton Baer
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:07
Grading comment
Thanks for explanation, it was good to know where its etymology came from. Wonderful
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +1try out/test ideas
Nicole Johnson
4 +2run the suggestions by Kris
Alexander Demyanov
4 +2offer ideas for reflection to see if the recipient perceives errors/to see what he thinks of them
Anton Baer
4get a reaction/input from the person (here from Kris)
swisstell


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
bounce off
get a reaction/input from the person (here from Kris)


Explanation:
:-)

swisstell
Italy
Local time: 18:07
Native speaker of: German
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you for your explanation.

Asker: Thank you.

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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
bounce off
try out/test ideas


Explanation:
This is a phrasal verb which in this context means to try out or test ideas.

I've referenced the website of a very useful online dictionary of phrasal verbs for future use.

HTH


    Reference: http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/bounce+o...
Nicole Johnson
Italy
Local time: 18:07
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: Very clear and understandable explanation. Thank you Alexander.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  David Knowles: Helpful reference!
2 mins
  -> Thanks David--it's a great reference indeed!
disagree  Alexander Demyanov: In this context nothing is tried out or tested, just discussed//Just looked closely. What it means is "they discussed some ideas with me".
5 mins
  -> I beg to differ. Look closely at the second example. I guess it also depends on how you define try out or test as well.
agree  Kim Metzger
43 mins
  -> Thanks Kim.
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9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
bounce off
run the suggestions by Kris


Explanation:
Present the suggestions to Kris and see what he thinks about them

The "bounce off" metaphore works like this: throw your idea to someone (e.g. Kris) like a ball and see what he does with it.

Alexander Demyanov
Local time: 12:07
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Melissa Stanfield: discussing ideas prior to any action taking place
3 mins
  -> Thanks Melissa.
agree  Kim Metzger
37 mins
  -> Thanks, Kim.
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12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
bounce off
offer ideas for reflection to see if the recipient perceives errors/to see what he thinks of them


Explanation:
The idea behind this idiom would seem to be: does the idea retain its shape when it 'bounces off'? A good rubber ball will not lose its plasticity; it will come back, after the temporary deformation that gives it its 'bounce', as resilient as ever. If the idea does not bounce, it falls flat, figuratively. If it does 'bounce', it means the listener considers it sound in its conception; that person may even have squeezed and reshaped it a little.

Anton Baer
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:07
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks for explanation, it was good to know where its etymology came from. Wonderful

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Nicole Johnson: Wow! Great explanation. Would you like to come and teach a lesson on phrasal verbs to one of my English classes?
1 hr
  -> How sweet that would be -- or is Tuscany just a fantasy? Put up in a small hotel, put up with the chaos, don't get put off by the summer heat -- shd I just put the dream off?
agree  Alfa Trans (X)
1 day 1 hr
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