burst into laughter

Definitions

• sudden onset of laughter
  Describe someone laughing loudly and suddenly, often in response to something funny or unexpected

• uncontrollable laughter
  Describe a situation where someone cannot stop themselves from laughing, often inappropriately

Examples of burst into laughter

• The comedian's joke about the dancing bananas had the audience bursting into laughter.

  When something is so unexpectedly amusing or funny, it can cause people to suddenly and involuntarily laugh out loud, in big and loud bursts, which is what it means to "burst into laughter".

• The little girl couldn't stop giggling as her father pretended to be a goofy monster, causing her to burst into laughter once again.

  When someone's actions or words are so delightfully funny or amusing, it can cause someone to burst into laughter multiple times in quick succession.

• The group of friends burst into laughter after seeing the silly prank that their roommate had set up in the living room.

  Anytime an unexpected or funny situation arises that causes people to laugh out loud, it's known as "bursting into laughter".

• The news anchor tried to remain serious while delivering the weather report, but couldn't help but burst into laughter at the thought of a 90% chance of tacos.

  While "bursting into laughter" is usually associated with amusing situations, it can also happen when something comically absurd or unbelievable is said or done, like in this case where the weather report has become absurdly funny.

• As soon as Sarah walked into the room, everyone burst into laughter at the sight of her new haircut.

  This idiom is used when a sudden and loud laughter breaks out spontaneously, in this case, Sarah's unexpected haircut caused amusement among the people present, leading to an outburst of laughter.

• After the stand-up comedian told that joke, the entire audience burst into laughter.

  Used when an unexpected or humorous remark triggers an uncontrollable and loud laughter among a group of people.

• The teacher couldn't help but burst into laughter when she saw the funny answers on the exam papers.

  This idiom can also be used metaphorically to imply a sudden and unintended outburst of laughter due to a comical or amusing situation.

• The video clip went viral as soon as it burst into laughter among netizens worldwide.

  Used to explain how humor or amusement spreads rapidly through social media or digital platforms, resulting in widespread laughter among online communities.

Conclusion

The idiom "burst into laughter" is used to describe a sudden and often uncontrollable onset of laughter. It can be used to convey the idea of someone laughing loudly and suddenly in response to something funny or unexpected, or to describe a situation where someone cannot stop themselves from laughing, often inappropriately.

This idiom is commonly used in informal conversations and storytelling, as it vividly captures the image of someone suddenly breaking into laughter. It adds emphasis to the intensity and spontaneity of the laughter, and can be used to convey amusement, surprise, or even embarrassment.

Origin of "burst into laughter"

The origin of the idiom "burst into laughter" can be traced back to the late 19th century, when the word "burst" was used to describe a sudden and forceful release of something. In this case, it refers to the sudden and uncontrollable release of laughter. The word "laughter" has long been associated with joy and amusement, and the combination of "burst" and "laughter" creates a vivid image of someone suddenly and forcefully breaking into laughter. Over time, the idiom has become a popular and widely used expression in the English language, conveying the idea of sudden and intense laughter.

Examples of its usage can be found in literature, film, and everyday speech, where it is used to vividly describe moments of unexpected and uncontrollable laughter.