burst into

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

burst into

The NBC4 crash marks the most serious incident involving an L.A. news chopper crew since 2000, when a Fox 11 helicopter covering the Academy Awards crashed and burst into flames at Van Nuys Airport.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

The moment the guilty verdict was read in court, Shakur's family burst into emotion.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

According to him, America would have burst into flames and melted into the bedrock mantle if he hadn’t come to town.

From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2026

The current probe burst into public view after June filings by Delaware Life and Clear Spring revealed the companies had been subpoenaed by federal authorities.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

The air grew hotter, until she was sure the entire world had burst into flames.

From "I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980" by Lauren Tarshis