burst in
B1 neutral intransitive
In simple words
To come into a room very quickly and suddenly, like you can't wait.
Literal meaning: To burst (explode/break suddenly) and come in.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To enter a place suddenly and with force, often causing surprise or disruption.
"The detective burst in just as the suspect was about to escape through the back window."
"He burst in upon the conference of ambassadors."
— H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds (1898)
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To interrupt a conversation or activity by suddenly speaking or appearing.
"I was about to explain the plan when my colleague burst in with his own ideas."
Usage notes
Used for both physical entry and interrupting speech. When used metaphorically for interrupting conversation, it is very close to 'butt in' but more vivid.
Commonly used with
door room meeting conversation office tears
Forms
Base
burst in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bursts in
he/she/it
Past simple
bursted in
yesterday
Past participle
bursted in
have + pp
-ing form
bursting in
continuous
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Synonyms
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