In stitches

Definitions

• to be highly amused
  to describe a situation where someone is laughing uncontrollably due to finding something extremely funny

• to be in pain from laughing
  to express that someone is experiencing physical discomfort from laughing so hard

Examples of In stitches

• The comedian's witty jokes had everyone in stitches during the comedy show last night.

  The phrase "in stitches" is used figuratively here to describe how the audience was laughing uncontrollably and with great intensity due to the comedian's amusing jokes.

• After hearing the surprising twist in the story, my friend was in stitches from suppressing her laughter so as not to give away the spoiler.

  This example shows how the idiom can also be used to highlight the effort made to contain laughter, as the person's friend had a humorous reaction to the unexpected turn of events, but held back from laughing so as not to ruin the surprise for others.

• The animators' latest episode of the cartoon had me in stitches throughout its entire duration.

  This example demonstrates how the idiom can be applied to describe one's own reaction to something, as the person in question found the cartoon episode incredibly funny and laughed uncontrollably while watching it.

• The prank my brother played on me yesterday left me in stitches for at least an hour.

  In this example, the idiom shows how the person's laughter persisted for an extended period of time, as they had a highly amusing experience at the hands of their brother's prank.

• Jane's laugh was so contagious that it had me in stitches during the entire comedy show.

  To be "in stitches" is to be laughing so hard that it becomes difficult to catch your breath. The phrase "in stitches" comes from sewing, where a seamstress uses "stitches" to hold fabric together. In this context, the person laughing is "held together" by laughter, just as fabric is held together by stitches.

• After hearing my boss's terrible joke, I couldn't stop laughing and was in stitches for several minutes.

  The phrase "in stitches" can also be used metaphorically to describe being entertained or amused in a more general sense. In this example, the person's amusement at their boss's joke was so intense that they were "held together" by laughter for several minutes.

• The home video my friend showed me had me in stitches from start to finish.

  The use of "in stitches" at the end of a video signifies that the video was so funny that it left the viewer laughing until the end. This can also be used to describe a humorous event or activity, such as a party or performance, that left everyone in stitches from start to finish.

• After hearing that prank, my side hurt from laughing so hard. I was in stitches all night.

  This example brings a new perspective to the phrase "in stitches." Being "in stitches" doesn't necessarily mean that the laughter is positive or enjoyable. Sometimes, laughter and humor can come from embarrassing or uncomfortable situations. In this example, the person's laughter from the prank was so intense that it caused physical discomfort, such as a sore side from laughing so hard.

Conclusion

The idiom "in stitches" is used to convey the idea of being highly amused or in pain from laughing. It is commonly used in informal conversations and is a playful way to describe a situation where someone finds something extremely funny.

Origin of "In stitches"

The origin of the idiom "in stitches" can be traced back to the 16th century when it was used in the context of physical pain. The idea of "stitches" refers to the sharp pain in the side that can be caused by excessive laughter. Over time, the expression evolved to also encompass the idea of being highly amused, regardless of physical discomfort. This shift in meaning reflects the way language adapts and changes over time to fit the needs of its speakers. Today, "in stitches" is a widely recognized idiom that is used to convey the experience of finding something incredibly funny.