bowl up

To come towards a person or place, often confidently or without warning.

• He bowled up to my desk.
• A smiling woman bowled up and introduced herself.
• You can't just bowl up to the door and expect a welcome.

How to use it: bowl up to someone/something (A stranger bowled up to me and asked for directions.)

Similar words: approach, come up, turn up

Opposites: withdraw

Common phrases: bowl up to someone, bowl up to reception

To travel or arrive in a vehicle, often quickly or cheerfully.

• She bowled up in a taxi.
• We bowled up the road on our bicycles.
• He bowled up to the gate in his new car.

How to use it: bowl up in/on a vehicle (He bowled up in an old van.)

Similar words: drive up, roll up

Common phrases: bowl up in something, bowl up the road

To fill the small container of a smoking pipe with tobacco or another substance for smoking.

• He bowled up his pipe.
• She bowled up some tobacco before lighting the pipe.
• Have you bowled up the pipe yet?

Similar words: pack a pipe

Common phrases: bowl up a pipe, bowl up some tobacco

To roll or send a ball up a slope or towards a place further along.

• He bowled the ball up the slope.
• Try to bowl up the ramp without hitting the sides.
• She bowled up the lane towards the waiting players.

How to use it: bowl something up something (She bowled the ball up the gentle slope.)

Similar words: roll up

Common phrases: bowl up a slope, bowl up the lane