bump

be bumping along the bottom (British)

if an economic system is bumping along the bottom, it is working very slowly. With the economy bumping along the bottom, it seems unlikely any new jobs will be created.

See also: along, bottom

come (back) down to earth (with a bang/bump/jolt)

to have to start dealing with the unpleasant or boring things that happen every day after a period of excitement and enjoyment. We came down to earth with a bump when we got back from our holidays to find we had a burst pipe.

See also: come, down, earth

like a bump on a log (American, informal)

if someone sits or stands somewhere like a bump on a log, they do not react in a useful or helpful way to the activities happening around them. Don't just sit there like a bump on a log, come and help us!

See also: like, log

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bump into someone/something

to unexpectedly meet someone or find something. Last week, Jill bumped into an old college friend she hadn't seen in years. The story is about an amateur detective who lives in Maine and has an amazing ability to bump into real-life murder stories.

bump off someone

to kill someone. Unbelievable as it is, this woman decided that she was going to bump off her husband's girlfriend.