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buckle over

B2 neutral intransitive
In simple words

To bend over suddenly because something hurts or because you're laughing very hard.

Literal meaning: For a structure or surface to bend, buckle, and fold over under pressure.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To bend sharply at the waist in response to pain, especially in the stomach area.

"He buckled over when the ball hit him in the stomach."

2 B2 idiomatic informal

To bend over helplessly with uncontrollable laughter.

"We all buckled over laughing when he walked into the glass door."

Usage notes

Often used with 'in pain,' 'with laughter,' or 'laughing.' The image is of a structure whose supports give way, causing it to fold.

Commonly used with

pain laughter stomach cramps impact blow

Forms

Base
buckle over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
buckles over
he/she/it
Past simple
buckled over
yesterday
Past participle
buckled over
have + pp
-ing form
buckling over
continuous

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Synonyms

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