to burst in on

Examples

• All

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

  Fiction book (1997)

• She made for the door, but Henry was there first, bursting in on them, red-cheeked with excitement and the effort of running up the hill.

  Fiction book (1990)

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

  Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

• I'm sorry to burst in on you.

  Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)

• The Secret Service is about to burst in on Phreak.

  Fiction book (1995)

• I'm sorry to burst in on you like this... but Mel said he didn't want to waste any time.

  Flirting with Disaster (1996)

• She cleaned the apartment every day, from time to time bursting in on Grace with a handful of corner dust for her inspection.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Vic Junior cried, bursting in on his hardworking parent, waving the tattered magazine.

  Fiction book (1994)

• We also need to make sure that the real Crabbe and Goyle can't burst in on us while we're interrogating Malfoy.

  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

• I didn't mean to burst in on the meeting without an invitation.

Synonyms

I

to intrude

vsto burst in on

105 4.4

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

is sudden unexpected entry often interrupting others rather than only unwelcome presence

B

to barge in

vsto burst in on

• Informal

59 5.5

Enter a room or conversation suddenly and rudely without being invited

is sudden interruption without the rude or harsh tone

W

to walk in on

vsto burst in on

47 4.1

To go into a room and see something private by accident

is sudden entry that focuses on interruption and not accidental observation

I

to interject

vsto burst in on

39 6.5

To say something quickly to interrupt someone

is about entering suddenly into places or events, not just speaking

R

to rush in

vsto burst in on

36 3.1

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

is sudden entry focusing on unexpected interruption rather than speed

B

to break in

vsto burst in on

30 3.4

To interrupt a conversation or activity without being invited

is sudden entry focused on unexpected interruption rather than general intrusion

I

to intrude on

vsto burst in on

22 4.6

To go into someone's space or life without permission

is sudden physical entry that stresses interruption more than meddling in affairs

B

to burst in

vsto burst in on

21 3.3

To enter a room suddenly and interrupt people

is the same meaning with no difference in use

B

to butt in

vsto burst in on

• Informal

21 4.4

Interrupt someone who is speaking without being invited

is broader sudden entry into places or situations, not only conversations

C

to cut in

vsto burst in on

6 3.5

Interrupt someone who is speaking or doing something

is broader sudden entry, not limited to interrupting speech or acts

I

to irrupt

vsto burst in on

9.4

Suddenly appear or enter with force

is sudden entry that may interrupt but not necessarily forceful

C

to chisel in

vsto burst in on

• Informal

7.7

Interrupt someone who is speaking by joining their conversation without waiting

is sudden entry into a situation rather than only verbal interruption

Antonyms

S

to sneak out

• Informal

125 3.7

To leave a place quietly so no one notices you

E

to exit stage left

• Informal

1 7.9

Leave a place or conversation quietly to avoid attention

How Sudden

to barge in

• Informal

59 5.5

to burst in on

3 5.2

to walk in on

47 4.1

to walk into

211 3.5

to enter

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology