To laugh so hard that you lose control of your body.
To laugh so much that you can barely stand up or stay still.
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
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.
To fall in various directions around oneself — capturing the physical loss of control from laughter.
To laugh so much that you can barely stand up or stay still.
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.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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