Bounce

CAROM

Think of a billiards term where the ball ricochets off a cushion before hitting another ball.

Bounce" hints at something ricocheting off a surface, which is exactly what "carom" describes—a sharp rebound, like a ball glancing off a wall in pool or billiards. The word itself comes from the game of carom (or carambola), where players bank shots off rails, making the connection even clearer. It’s a straightforward definition, but the clue plays on the physical action rather than naming the game outright.