burst into

1. Also, . Break out into sudden activity. For example, burst into flames means “break out in a fire,” as in This dry woodpile may well burst into flames . A version of this term, which dates from the 16th century, was used figuratively by John Milton: “Fame is the spur ... But the fair guerdon [reward] when we hope to find, and think to burst out into sudden blaze” ( Lycidas , 1637).

2. Also, burst out . Give sudden utterance to. For example, , etc. mean “begin suddenly to weep, laugh, sing,” and so on, as in When she saw him, she burst into tears , or I burst out laughing when I saw their outfits , or When they brought in the cake, we all burst into song . These terms have been so used since the late 1300s.

Example Sentences

Nadine Young, Young’s grandmother, cried out and burst into tears when the verdict was read.

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Or will she just stand there and wait until I burst into tears?

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But the door was flung open, and Edward Ashton burst into the bedchamber brandishing a knife.

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It floated upward and hovered near the ceiling, then burst into countless sprays of gold that glittered in the air like fireworks.

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Lady Constance shrieked as the three children burst into the house and skidded to a stop at her feet.

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