burst out
phrasal verb·4 senses·particle out
Meanings
Suddenly start laughing, crying, or making another strong sound
Why “out”? A strong reaction appears suddenly in words, sound, action, or behaviour.
“She burst out laughing at the joke.”
“The boy burst out crying.”
Say something suddenly and forcefully
“When the teacher asked who had done it, Leo burst out, "It was me!"”
“Mina burst out with the answer before I finished the question.”
Leave a place suddenly and forcefully
Why “out”? Movement goes from inside to outside.
“The children burst out of the classroom when the bell rang.”
“The dog burst out of the gate.”
(of a sound or song)Suddenly begin loudly
“The choir burst out singing.”
“Applause burst out across the hall when the winner appeared.”
Don't confuse with
Burst out means suddenly start crying, laughing or shouting. Burst in means enter a place suddenly and forcefully.
Test yourself
“She burst out laughing at the joke.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
burst in
A contrast learners often mix up
Enter a place suddenly and forcefully
act out
Same out pattern: outburst
Perform a scene, story, or plan with actions; Express feelings through aggressive or attention-seeking behaviour
break out
Same out pattern: departure
(of war, fire or disease) Start suddenly; Escape from a locked or guarded place
check out
Same out pattern: departure
Leave a hotel after paying; Look at or examine
cry out
Same out pattern: outburst
Make a loud sudden sound, often in pain or surprise
freak out
Same out pattern: outburst
Suddenly become very anxious or upset
get out
Same out pattern: departure
Leave a room, car or building; Become known publicly, often by accident; Leave home to meet people or enjoy free time; Manage to escape from a situation; Remove a stain or mark from something; Produce or manage to say words; Publish or release something to the public
head out
Same out pattern: departure
Begin travelling toward somewhere
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