1 B1 idiomatic informal
To be visibly overflowing with enthusiasm, joy, or excitement that is hard to contain.
"She was bubbling over with excitement when she found out she'd got the job."
bubble over
B2 informal intransitive
To be so full of a positive emotion or energy that it spills out in an obvious, uncontrolled way.
In plain English
To be so excited or happy that you can't hide it — it just comes out of you.
What does "bubble over" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
For a liquid to boil or ferment so vigorously that it spills over the edge of its container.
"The soup started bubbling over because we left it on too high a heat."
3 B2 idiomatic informal
For laughter or conversation to break out in an uncontrolled, spontaneous way.
"The children's laughter bubbled over during the class, and even the teacher couldn't keep a straight face."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For a liquid to produce so many bubbles that it overflows the container.
Actually means
To be so excited or happy that you can't hide it — it just comes out of you.
Usage tip
Most commonly used with positive emotions such as excitement, joy, laughter, or enthusiasm. The physical image is of a liquid bubbling up and spilling over the rim of a container.
Words that pair with "bubble over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
excitement laughter enthusiasm joy energy happiness
How to conjugate "bubble over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bubble over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bubbles over
he/she/it
Past simple
bubbled over
yesterday
Past participle
bubbled over
have + pp
-ing form
bubbling over
continuous
Hear "bubble over" in the wild
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Other ways to say "bubble over"
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