1. past tense of pinball; moved or bounced around rapidly and unpredictably from one place or situation to another, like a ball in a pinball machine
Usage: informal; often used metaphorically to describe chaotic or uncontrolled movement or progression

Examples

• The ball pinballed across the table, hitting every obstacle in its path.
• After the accident, the car pinballed between the guardrails before coming to a stop.
• She pinballed from job to job, never staying in one place for long.
• The conversation pinballed between different topics without any clear direction.
• The hockey puck pinballed off three players before going into the net.
• He pinballed through the crowded hallway, bumping into students left and right.