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

He pauses a second: “When we bless the challah, one person touches it and everyone else makes an unbroken chain, putting a hand on the next person so we are all part of the blessing. My oldest son turns and reaches out and grabs my hand so I can be part of the chain. And I just burst into tears. I decided then and there that I will convert. There is no more ‘life got in the way.’

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Littler won the youth title in 2023 aged 16, a few weeks before he burst into the spotlight by finishing runner-up at the 2024 World Championship.

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The duo stared up in the sky as dozens of lilac balloons burst into the sky.

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That tension erupted into violence after resident Cynthia Jarrett, a black woman, died from heart failure when four policemen burst into her home on the estate searching for stolen property.

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Last month, against Michigan State, Stewart burst into the backfield so quickly during one play that the running back had just received the handoff as he leveled him.

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