When on the road a car goes over a pothole (bump on the road), what do you call it in English?
asked Sep 3, 2018 at 13:14
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1Most of the expressions people use do not belong on a public site such as this!– Ronald SoleCommented Sep 3, 2018 at 13:20
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3"Hit a pothole"– Jay A. LittleCommented Sep 3, 2018 at 13:24
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@Jay A. Little A 'bump' in the road is usually regarded as a raised area that is higher than the surrounding road area. A pothole, almost by definition, is a hollow or hole in the road that is lower than the surrounding road area. However, a car wheel passing over either one of these can cause the sensation and sound of a 'bump' within the car.– JamesCommented Sep 3, 2018 at 13:41
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As James indicates, a bump on the road is a raised area, just like a bump on your forehead. google.com/…:– TimRCommented Sep 3, 2018 at 13:59
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Honestly, I was going to ask OP whether he meant a 'pothole' or a 'bump' because yes they are opposites (concave vs convex). But then I realized it doesn't matter. The phrase is the same "hit a bump" and "hit a pothole". Just don't ask me why! XD– Jay A. LittleCommented Sep 3, 2018 at 14:05
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1 Answer
When on the road a car goes over a pothole (bump on the road), what do you call it in English?
We call the hole a "pothole", and we call the resulting action of driving over it a "bump"!
Perhaps you are looking for some other way of describing it? Or some adjectives to describe the feeling, or the sound? Maybe these will help:
My car hit a pothole and I felt the bump.
I felt a thump as my wheels hit the pothole.
As I struck the pothole I heard and felt the bump as my car's suspension took the stress.
answered Sep 3, 2018 at 14:11
