in splits

9.5

Laughing a lot because something is very funny

idiom

Indian

: partiéndose de risa

The show was so funny that we were in splits throughout.

Examples

Whenever she tries to dance, it leaves everyone in splits.
I was in splits after watching that comedy show!
His hilarious story had the whole audience in splits for minutes.
Are you still in splits over that joke?
The comedian's jokes had the audience in splits, laughing uncontrollably for minutes.
After hearing the funny story, we were all in splits with laughter.
Her impersonation was so funny that it left everyone in splits at the party.

Synonyms

to crack up

vsin splits

Informal

18 3.5

To laugh loudly and without control

is about being in great amusement rather than reacting to one incident

to break up

vsin splits

Informal

9 3.0

Start laughing very hard and cannot stop

is the ongoing state of extreme amusement rather than the start of it

to burst out laughing

vsin splits

Informal

8 2.4

To suddenly start laughing loudly and not be able to stop

is used for sustained strong amusement rather than a sudden beginning

to laugh my head off

vsin splits

Informal

3 5.1

To make loud, long sounds because something is very funny

is intense but does not necessarily continue for a long time

laughing

vsin splits

1 1.0

Showing someone is smiling and making a happy sound

is about losing control in amusement and feeling extreme enjoyment instead

to yuk

vsin splits

Informal

1 8.6

To laugh loudly in a silly, noisy way

describes uncontrollable strong amusement rather than mainly silly or childish noise

to split one's sides

vsin splits

Informal

1 5.6

To laugh very hard

is mainly used in Indian English rather than broad general usage

to laugh one's head off

vsin splits

Informal

1 3.5

To make loud sounds you cannot stop because something is very funny

may show great amusement without implying the cause is extremely funny

to rolf

vsin splits

Slang

1 9.7

To laugh very hard at something funny online

is similar but is used broadly, not limited to online situations

to giggle uncontrollably

vsin splits

1 4.0

To laugh in a way you cannot stop because you find something very funny or feel embarrassed

expresses stronger, more intense uncontrolled amusement rather than light, silly sounds

to roll about in laughter

vsin splits

Informal

3.3

Feel so amused that you fall over and move on the floor

is similar but usually lacks strong physical movement during the amusement

to convulse with laughter

vsin splits

4.5

Laugh so hard that your body shakes

describes uncontrollable amusement but without necessarily causing the body to shake

to gag with laughter

vsin splits

Informal

6.5

To laugh so hard you almost choke

is about strong amusement but not always causing choking sensations

to bellylaugh

vsin splits

Informal

5.2

Laugh loudly and deeply, making your stomach move

focuses on uncontrollable amusement but without the deep abdominal sound

laughing a minute

vsin splits

Archaic

7.7

All the time feeling amused and making happy sounds

is intense uncontrollable amusement rather than continual, steady enjoyment

Antonyms

serious

452 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

sober

44 4.6

Serious and sensible in behavior or tone

How Amused

in splits

Indian

9.5

laughing

1 1.0

amused

18 1.0

smiling

2 1.0

Surface Forms

in splits positive

Morphology

in + splits

The meaning 'laughing uncontrollably' is not derivable from 'in' (a locative preposition) plus 'splits' (plural of 'split'), since the literal senses involve division or breaking and give no obvious clue to laughter. The idiomatic sense is regionally marked (Indian English) and likely linked to a different construction like 'split one's sides', so a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words would not predict this meaning.

Etymology

In splits may come from the picture of laughing so hard that your sides feel like they will split. So, to be in splits means 'can't stop laughing'.