burst out
phrasal verb·4 senses·particle out
Meanings
Suddenly start crying, laughing or shouting
Why “out”? Something comes into the open. People can see it, know it, or understand it.
“She burst out laughing at the joke.”
“The boy burst out crying.”
Say something suddenly and forcefully
“"That's not fair!" she burst out.”
“"I know!" he burst out.”
Leave a place suddenly and forcefully
Why “out”? Movement goes from inside to outside.
“He burst out of the office.”
“The dog burst out of the gate.”
(of a sound or song) suddenly begin loudly
“The choir burst out into song.”
“The crowd burst out cheering.”
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: becoming clear
Perform a scene, story, or plan with actions; Express feelings through aggressive or attention-seeking behaviour
ask out
Same out pattern: departure
Invite someone on a romantic date
bail out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Rescue someone, especially financially
bear out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Provide evidence that confirms what someone has said
blast out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Play music extremely loudly through speakers
branch out
Same out pattern: departure
Start doing something new or different; (of a road, river or organisation) split off in a new direction; Become independent and start your own venture
break out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
(of war, fire or disease) start suddenly
Practice “burst out” in Sink In
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