Bounce back Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Resilience Context Used to express someone's ability to recover from setbacks or challenges. Despite failing the first test, she managed to bounce back in her finals. Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Recovery Can be used to describe emotional or mental recovery, not just physical or situational. After the breakup, it took him months to bounce back. Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use Often used metaphorically to describe a comeback in different aspects of life. The team bounced back from their loss with a spectacular win.