bowling-alley

A family enjoys a game at the bowling-alley.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A long, narrow track or lane: "bowling-alley" refers to the smooth, polished wooden or synthetic surface on which a bowling ball is rolled toward pins in the game of bowling.
   • A building or facility: "bowling-alley" also means a venue containing multiple such lanes, where people go to play the sport of bowling.

Usage Examples

• As a lane:
  • He rolled the ball down the bowling-alley and knocked down all ten pins. (He used the specific track to bowl.)
  • The bowling-alley was freshly waxed, making the ball glide smoothly. (The lane surface was prepared for play.)
• As a facility:
  • We spent the evening at the bowling-alley with friends. (We visited the venue to bowl.)
  • The local bowling-alley offers leagues and open play sessions. (The facility hosts organized events.)

Advanced Usage

• "to own a bowling-alley": to be the proprietor of a bowling facility.
  • She inherited a bowling-alley from her uncle and now manages it. (She became the owner of the business.)
• "bowling-alley maintenance": the care and upkeep of the lanes and equipment.
  • Proper bowling-alley maintenance includes oiling the lanes regularly. (Routine care ensures good playing conditions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bowling (n): the sport of rolling a ball to knock down pins.
  • Bowling is a popular recreational activity. (The sport itself.)
• Alley (n): a narrow street or passage; also used as a short form for "bowling-alley."
  • The alley was crowded with players. (Here, "alley" refers to the bowling venue.)
• Bowling ball (n): a heavy ball used in bowling.
  • He selected a 14-pound bowling ball from the rack. (Equipment for the sport.)

Synonyms

• Bowling lane: a synonym for the track itself.
  • The bowling lane was perfectly straight. (The surface used for play.)
• Bowling center: a more formal term for a bowling-alley facility.
  • The new bowling center has 24 lanes. (A modern venue.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Bowl down: to knock down pins with a ball.
  • He bowled down all ten pins with his first throw. (He achieved a strike.)
• Bowl over: to surprise or overwhelm (figurative use).
  • The news bowled me over. (It astonished me.)

Related Idioms

• To bowl a strike: to knock down all pins with one roll.
  • She bowled a strike in the final frame to win the game. (A perfect first roll.)
• To be in the gutter: to have the ball roll into the side channel (gutter) of a bowling-alley, missing the pins.
  • His ball went into the gutter, and he scored zero. (A poor roll.)