bunny hop
Low-MediumInformal
Definition
Meaning
A small, quick jump performed with both feet kept together, imitating the movement of a rabbit.
The name of various cyclic actions involving a small, repeated jump. In cycling, it is a technique where the rider lifts the front and then rear wheel off the ground to clear an obstacle. In dance, it is a simple, hopping step. In motorsport, it can refer to a jerky, hopping motion of a vehicle.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a concrete noun describing a specific physical action. Can function as a verb ('to bunny hop'). The term is playful and often associated with children, beginners, or specific skills in sports/activities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept and term are identical in both varieties, strongly associated with children's play and cycling culture.
Connotations
Slightly more childlike or playful connotation in British English; in American English, also has a strong, specific technical meaning within BMX/mountain biking.
Frequency
Frequency is similar; the cycling technique sense may be slightly more prevalent in American English due to the popularity of BMX.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] bunny hops[Subject] does a bunny hop (over [Object])to bunny hop [Object] (e.g., a curb)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Only in metaphorical use for describing small, incremental progress (e.g., 'The project is moving forward in bunny hops').
Academic
Extremely rare, except potentially in kinesiology or sports science papers discussing motor skills.
Everyday
Common in contexts of children playing, teaching toddlers to jump, or casual cycling.
Technical
Specific and common term in cycling (BMX, mountain biking) manuals and coaching for the wheel-lift technique.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The child can bunny hop across the garden.
- You need to bunny hop over that root.
American English
- He bunny-hopped the curb on his BMX bike.
- Let's see you bunny hop your skateboard.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard]
American English
- [Not standard]
adjective
British English
- [Rare as adjective] The bunny-hop move is fundamental.
American English
- [Rare as adjective] He's working on his bunny-hop technique.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little girl did a happy bunny hop.
- Rabbits move with a bunny hop.
- My son learned to bunny hop before he could skip.
- The first trick you should learn on a bike is the bunny hop.
- To clear the obstacle, execute a precise bunny hop by shifting your weight.
- The dance routine included a series of quick bunny hops.
- The car's faulty suspension caused it to proceed down the track in an unsettling bunny hop.
- His progress in the language was less a steady flow and more a series of anxious bunny hops.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cartoon BUNNY doing a little HOP. The words rhyme and picture the action perfectly.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FIRST/SMALL STEP IS A BUNNY HOP (for learning a new physical skill).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить дословно как "кроличий хмель".
- Не путать с просто "прыжок" (jump) – "bunny hop" конкретнее.
- В контексте велоспорта это устоявшийся термин, не требующий перевода.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'bunny jump' instead of 'bunny hop'. (Hop is more standard).
- Using it as a verb without an object when one is needed (e.g., 'He bunny hopped' vs. 'He bunny hopped the log').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bunny hop' a specific technical term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically written as two words (noun: bunny hop, verb: to bunny-hop/bunny hop). Hyphenation is common for the verb form.
Yes. While associated with children's play, the term is commonly used by adult cyclists and dancers to describe a specific technique or step.
A 'hop' is generic. A 'bunny hop' specifically implies keeping the feet together and is often a small, quick, repeated action, mimicking a rabbit.
Almost never, unless it's a direct quote, a technical manual for cycling, or a deliberate stylistic choice to be playful or descriptive.