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burst into meaning and examples

2025-09-12

Meaning

The phrasal verb burst into means to suddenly begin doing something with strong emotion or intensity. It often describes sudden actions or expressions such as crying, laughing, or singing.

It can also mean to enter a place suddenly and forcefully.

Grammar and Usage

  • Pattern 1: burst into + noun (emotion or action) → Indicates a sudden start of an emotional or physical reaction. e.g., "burst into tears," "burst into laughter," "burst into song"

  • Pattern 2: burst into + place → Indicates entering a place suddenly and often unexpectedly. e.g., "burst into the room"

  • Verb form: irregular verb (burst – burst – burst)

  • Intransitive when used with emotions/actions (no object).

  • Transitive when entering a place.

Common Phrases

  • burst into tears
  • burst into laughter
  • burst into song
  • burst into flames
  • burst into the room/house/office

Collocations

  • burst into + emotion: tears, laughter, rage, anger
  • burst into + activity: song, applause, dance
  • burst into + place: the room, the house, the office

Examples

  1. She suddenly burst into tears after hearing the bad news.
  2. The audience burst into laughter at his silly joke.
  3. When the music started, the children burst into song.
  4. The car burst into flames after the crash.
  5. He burst into the classroom without knocking.
  6. Everyone burst into applause when the speaker finished.
  7. The angry customer burst into the manager’s office.
  8. At the end of the speech, the crowd burst into cheers.
  • suddenly start
  • break into (song/laughter)
  • erupt in/into
  • explode with

Antonym

  • calm down
  • hold back
  • suppress