How do you use "Fit to Burst" in a sentence?

She was fit to burst with pride watching her son graduate. I was fit to burst laughing at his impression. He was fit to burst with anger but held it in. The children were fit to burst with excitement on Christmas morning.

Fit to Burst

Q: What does "Fit to Burst" mean?

Overwhelmed with emotion, barely able to contain it This phrase describes emotions so intense they feel physical—as if you might literally explode. It can apply to any overwhelming emotion: pride, anger, excitement, or even laughter. The image is of a container under pressure, about to give way.

Slang Term BritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Overwhelmed with emotion, barely able to contain it

情绪激动到快要爆发

A punto de estallar de emoción

感情がいっぱいで今にも爆発しそう

감정이 벅차서 터질 것 같은

This phrase describes emotions so intense they feel physical—as if you might literally explode. It can apply to any overwhelming emotion: pride, anger, excitement, or even laughter. The image is of a container under pressure, about to give way.

这个短语描述了如此强烈以至于感觉像是身体感受的情绪——仿佛你真的要爆炸了。可以适用于任何压倒性的情绪：骄傲、愤怒、兴奋，甚至大笑。画面是一个承受压力即将破裂的容器。

Esta frase describe emociones tan intensas que se sienten físicas, como si pudieras explotar literalmente. Puede aplicarse a cualquier emoción abrumadora: orgullo, ira, emoción o incluso risa. La imagen es de un recipiente bajo presión, a punto de ceder.

この表現は、感情が非常に強くて身体的に感じられる状態を描写する——文字通り爆発しそうなほど。誇り、怒り、興奮、さらには笑いなど、あらゆる圧倒的な感情に適用できる。圧力がかかって今にも壊れそうな容器のイメージ。

이 표현은 감정이 너무 강렬해서 신체적으로 느껴지는 상태를 묘사한다—마치 말 그대로 폭발할 것 같은 느낌이다. 자부심, 분노, 흥분, 웃음 등 어떤 압도적인 감정에도 쓸 수 있다. 압력을 받는 용기가 곧 터질 것 같은 이미지이다.

Literal meaning: So full of emotion you might explode

Examples

She was fit to burst with pride watching her son graduate.
看着儿子毕业，她骄傲得快要爆炸了
Estaba a punto de estallar de orgullo viendo a su hijo graduarse
息子の卒業を見て彼女は誇らしさでいっぱいだった
아들의 졸업을 지켜보며 그녀는 자부심으로 가슴이 벅찼다.
I was fit to burst laughing at his impression.
他的模仿让我笑得快要爆炸了
Estaba a punto de estallar de risa con su imitación
彼のものまねで笑いが止まらなかった
그의 성대모사에 웃음이 터질 것 같았다.
He was fit to burst with anger but held it in.
他气得快要爆炸，但还是忍住了
Estaba a punto de estallar de rabia pero se contuvo
彼は怒りで爆発しそうだったが抑えた
그는 분노로 폭발할 것 같았지만 참았다.
The children were fit to burst with excitement on Christmas morning.
圣诞节早上孩子们兴奋得快要爆炸了
Los niños estaban a punto de estallar de emoción la mañana de Navidad
クリスマスの朝、子供たちは興奮で今にも弾けそうだった
크리스마스 아침, 아이들은 흥분으로 터질 듯했다.

Pronunciation

/fɪt tə bɜːst/

Usage Guide

Context: pride, excitement, anger, laughter

Tone: emphatic, vivid

✓ Do Say

I was fit to burst!
我快要爆炸了！
¡Estaba a punto de estallar!
爆発しそうだった！
터질 것 같았어!
She was fit to burst with pride.
她骄傲得快要炸了
Estaba rebosante de orgullo
彼女は誇りで胸がはちきれそうだった
그녀는 자랑스러워서 터질 것 같았다.
We were fit to burst laughing.
我们笑得快要炸了
Estábamos a punto de reventar de risa
笑いが止まらなかった
우리는 웃다가 터질 뻔했다.

✗ Don't Say

Distinctly British expression
明显的英式表达
Expresión claramente británica
明らかに英国的な表現
영국 특유의 표현
May sound unfamiliar to Americans
美国人可能不太熟悉
Puede sonar desconocida para estadounidenses
アメリカ人には馴染みがないかもしれない
미국인에게는 낯설게 들릴 수 있다

Common Mistakes

It's 'fit TO burst' not 'fit FOR burst'
Always needs the emotion specified for clarity

Origin & History

The phrase draws on the universal metaphor of emotions as substances that fill a container. When the container is full 'to bursting,' the emotion can barely be contained. This intensifier has been used in British English since at least the 19th century.

Etymology: From container metaphor for emotions, 19th century British English

First recorded: 19th century British English

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages in Britain

Social background: Universal in Britain

Pop culture: Common in British literature; Frequent in British TV dialogue

Regional notes: Distinctly British, less common in American English.

Variations

Fit to burstFit to bust