B1idiomemotionsIELTS-friendly
burst into tears
USUK
to suddenly start crying
'Burst' does not change in the past tense. You can also 'burst out laughing'.
In context
She burst into tears when she heard that she had passed the exam.
The little boy burst into tears when his balloon flew away.
Common mistake
Incorrect: burst in tears
Correct: burst into tears
More idioms about emotions
- a bitter pill to swallowan unpleasant fact or situation that is hard to accept
- a bundle of nervesvery nervous and worried
- a chip on your shouldera lasting anger because you feel you were treated unfairly in the past
- a knot in your stomacha tight, sick feeling in your body caused by worry or fear
- a lump in your throata tight feeling in your throat because you are so moved that you might cry