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Glite Dictionary
to burst in

to burst in

21 3.3
To enter a room suddenly and interrupt people
  • phrasal verb
  • /bɜrst ɪn/
translation icon : irrumpir en
  • He was on the verge of telling me when his father burst in.

And so we burst in and sort of like, what can we do?

Examples

  • His parents were in the kitchen when we burst in on them.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • You burst in on me as if...

    The Father (2020)

  • And so we burst in and sort of like, what can we do?

    True Geordie

  • I think I may be forced to burst in on you.

    Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

  • Before they could do anything, the police burst in.

    Total Recall (2012)

  • I'm sorry to burst in on you.

    Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)

  • Then why did you burst in here yelling, "Hey! Guess what?"

    Final Exam (1981)

  • He burst in, shouting accusations.

    Sanctimony (2000)

  • Before she could reply, Rodriguez burst in, white teeth gleaming in a huge grin.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Before they could react, the police burst in to apprehend the suspect.

Synonyms

to walk in
vsto burst in
396 1.6

To enter a room or building by walking without knocking

is sudden and unexpected entry that usually interrupts people rather than casual arrival
to walk into
vsto burst in
211 3.5

To accidentally become involved in a situation you did not plan

is sudden physical entry that usually interrupts others rather than passive involvement
to burst
vsto burst in
115 1.9

Enter or appear suddenly with energy

is sudden entry that often interrupts others rather than energetic movement
to intrude
vsto burst in
105 4.4

To go into a place or conversation where you are not welcome

is sudden unexpected entry that stresses interruption rather than mere unwelcome presence
to barge in
vsto burst in
  • Informal
59 5.5

Enter a room or conversation suddenly and rudely without being invited

is sudden entry but not necessarily rude or impolite
to walk in on
vsto burst in
47 4.1

To go into a room and see something private by accident

is sudden entry that often interrupts people rather than accidental private discovery
to rush in
vsto burst in
36 3.1

Act quickly without thinking, for example by going into a place

is sudden entry that is not always impulsive or hasty
to break in
vsto burst in
30 3.4

To interrupt a conversation or activity without being invited

is sudden physical entry that often interrupts people rather than only speech
to pop in
vsto burst in
  • Informal
25 3.4

To make a short informal visit to a place

is sudden entry that often interrupts others rather than casual short visits
to intrude on
vsto burst in
22 4.6

To go into someone's space or life without permission

is sudden and unexpected entry that usually interrupts people rather than mere unwelcome presence
to butt in
vsto burst in
  • Informal
21 4.4

Interrupt someone who is speaking without being invited

is sudden physical entry that often interrupts others rather than only speech
to pop into
vsto burst in
  • Informal
9 4.1

Visit a place for a short time, often without planning

is sudden entry that tends to interrupt people rather than a brief friendly visit
to cut in
vsto burst in
6 3.5

Interrupt someone who is speaking or doing something

is sudden physical entry that usually interrupts people rather than only speech
to push in
vsto burst in
  • UK
5 5.6

To join a line or enter a place without waiting your turn

is sudden unexpected entry that interrupts people generally, not only queue jumping
to burst in on
vsto burst in
3 5.2

Go into a room or conversation suddenly and interrupt people

has identical meaning but appears with an extra small word in usage
to bum rush
vsto burst in
  • Informal
1 9.6

To push into a place quickly and forcefully as a crowd

is sudden entry usually by an individual, not a crowd attack
to irrupt
vsto burst in
9.4

Suddenly appear or enter with force

is sudden entry but usually lacks the heavy force implied
to chisel in
vsto burst in
  • Informal
7.7

Interrupt someone who is speaking by joining their conversation without waiting

is sudden entry that often interrupts people physically rather than only speech

Antonyms

to sneak in
  • Informal
75 3.8

To go into a place quietly so no one notices

to slip out
39 3.8

To leave a place quietly without anyone noticing

How Sudden

to barge in
  • Informal
59 5.5
to burst in
21 3.3
to walk in
396 1.6
to enter
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

burst in infinitive

Morphology

burst + in

The meaning 'to enter suddenly and unexpectedly' is directly derivable from 'burst' (to move or appear with sudden force) combined with the directional particle 'in' (into an interior). This verb + particle composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern and would be readily understood by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Burst in shows a clear picture: someone suddenly pushes through a door or a crowd, with burst meaning a sudden strong push and in meaning into a space. So it means 'to enter a place suddenly and interrupt others'.