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burst in

B1 neutral intransitive

To enter a place suddenly and without warning, often interrupting something.

In plain English

To come into a room very quickly and suddenly, like you can't wait.

What does "burst in" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

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."

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To burst (explode/break suddenly) and come in.

Actually means

To come into a room very quickly and suddenly, like you can't wait.

Usage tip

Used for both physical entry and interrupting speech. When used metaphorically for interrupting conversation, it is very close to 'butt in' but more vivid.

Words that pair with "burst in"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

door room meeting conversation office tears

How to conjugate "burst in"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

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

Hear "burst in" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "burst in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "burst in"

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Keep exploring

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