burst

Universal Words verb, noun verb (burst, burst) 1 to break open or apart, especially because of pressure from inside; to make sth break in this way: [V] That balloon will burst if you blow it up any more. * The dam burst under the weight of water. * Shells were bursting (= exploding) all around us. * (figurative) He felt he would burst with anger and shame. * a burst pipe * [VN] Don't burst that balloon! * The river burst its banks and flooded nearby towns. 2 [V+adv./prep.] to go or move somewhere suddenly with great force; to come from somewhere suddenly: He burst into the room without knocking. * The sun burst through the clouds. * The words burst from her in an angry rush. 3 [V] be bursting (with sth) to be very full of sth; to be very full and almost breaking open: The roads are bursting with cars. * to be bursting with ideas / enthusiasm / pride * The hall was filled to bursting point. * The hall was full to bursting. * (informal) I'm bursting (for a pee)! (= I need to use the toilet right now). IDIOMS be bursting to do sth to want to do sth so much that you can hardly stop yourself: She was bursting to tell him the good news. burst sb's bubble to bring an end to sb's hopes, happiness, etc: He seemed so happy, I couldn't burst his bubble so soon. burst open