When someone is 'bowl over a person', it means they have been completely surprised or overwhelmed by something. There are many synonyms for this phrase, including 'astonish', 'amaze', 'astound', 'stun', 'shock', or 'startle'. All of these words convey a sense of being caught off guard or encountering something unexpected. Sometimes, the phrase is used in a positive sense, such as when someone is 'bowled over' by a generous act or a surprising gift. In other cases, it can have more negative connotations, such as being 'bowl over a person' by bad news or a sudden setback. Regardless of the context, however, the phrase implies a sense of being emotionally overwhelmed or knocked off balance.