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."
buckle over
B2 neutral intransitive
To bend or collapse sharply at the waist, typically due to pain, laughter, or physical weakness.
In plain English
To bend over suddenly because something hurts or because you're laughing very hard.
What does "buckle over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To bend over helplessly with uncontrollable laughter.
"We all buckled over laughing when he walked into the glass door."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For a structure or surface to bend, buckle, and fold over under pressure.
Actually means
To bend over suddenly because something hurts or because you're laughing very hard.
Usage tip
Often used with 'in pain,' 'with laughter,' or 'laughing.' The image is of a structure whose supports give way, causing it to fold.
Words that pair with "buckle over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pain laughter stomach cramps impact blow
How to conjugate "buckle over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "buckle over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "buckle over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "buckle over"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.