fall about
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To laugh so much that you can barely stand up or stay still.
Literal meaning: To fall in various directions around oneself — capturing the physical loss of control from laughter.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To laugh so much and so helplessly that you can barely keep your body under control.
"The whole audience fell about when the comedian tripped over his own microphone stand."
"They all fell about laughing."
— Common informal British English expression, widely cited in British comedy writing and journalism.
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Predominantly British English. Often followed by 'laughing' (fall about laughing) or used alone. Conveys helpless, uncontrollable laughter. Not used in American English, where 'crack up' or 'lose it' are preferred.
Commonly used with
laughing giggling in stitches at the joke with laughter
Forms
Base
fall about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
falls about
he/she/it
Past simple
fell about
yesterday
Past participle
fallen about
have + pp
-ing form
falling about
continuous
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Synonyms
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