débouler

to burst in, to tumble down

verb deh-boo-LEH Rare

Origin: From de- + bouler (to roll like a ball), from boule (ball).

Usage Note

Débouler vividly describes someone or something arriving suddenly and chaotically, like bursting through a door or rushing down stairs. It has a colloquial, energetic register: il a déboulé dans la pièce means 'he burst into the room'. It can also describe tumbling or rolling downhill. The base verb bouler alone is less common.

Examples

"Il a déboulé dans la cuisine."

Natural Translation

He burst into the kitchen.

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