bursting

bursting — verb

1. to spring open or tear apart all at once because of pressure, or to force an ope

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to spring open or tear apart all at once because of pressure, or to force an opening with sudden strength.

例句

The water pipe burst under the kitchen floor at midnight.

something bursts from pressure inside

Aarav burst the old football with one hard kick after practice.

burst + object

同義詞
  • split

    more general and does not always suggest sudden pressure

  • crack

    often suggests a smaller opening or line

  • smash

    usually focuses on damage from an outside hit

反義詞
  • seal

    close something so nothing can come out

  • hold

    stay closed without breaking

文法句型

something bursts

burst + object

burst + object + open

用法筆記

Often describes pressure building inside something such as a pipe, bag, or balloon. In transitive use, it can also mean forcing a door or barrier open very suddenly.

常見錯誤

The pipe bursted in the wall.
The pipe burst in the wall.
💡'burst' does not usually take the regular past form 'bursted'.

2. when a river, canal, or stream bursts its banks, water rises above the sides and

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

when a river, canal, or stream bursts its banks, water rises above the sides and spreads onto nearby land.

例句

After two days of rain, the river burst its banks.

fixed phrase: burst its banks

Heavy rain made the canal burst its banks before sunrise.

同義詞
  • overflow

    more general and more common for water going over the edge

  • flood

    focuses on covering an area with water, not the bank itself

反義詞

文法句型

river bursts its banks

canal bursts its banks

用法筆記

This sense is mainly used with rivers, canals, and streams, almost always in the fixed phrase 'burst its banks'. It describes water flowing beyond the sides, not simply a fast current.

常見錯誤

The river burst its bank after the storm.
The river burst its banks after the storm.
💡this expression normally uses the plural noun 'banks'.

3. to be so full of a strong feeling or wish that you can hardly hold it in.

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to be so full of a strong feeling or wish that you can hardly hold it in.

例句

Rachel was bursting with pride after her son won the race.

burst with + emotion

Noa was bursting to tell the class about the new puppy.

be bursting to + verb

同義詞
  • overflow

    suggests having more feeling than can easily be contained

  • brim

    often used in the pattern 'brim with', especially in writing

  • ache

    focuses more on a strong wish than on emotion spilling out

反義詞
  • hide

    keep the feeling from showing

  • hold back

    control yourself instead of letting it out

文法句型

burst with + emotion

be bursting to + verb

用法筆記

Use 'with' before a feeling such as pride, joy, or laughter, and 'to' before a verb. The idea is that the feeling or wish is so strong that it is close to coming out.

常見錯誤

Noa was bursting for tell the class.
Noa was bursting to tell the class.
💡after this sense, the wish pattern uses 'to' plus the verb.

4. to suddenly start burning very strongly, with large flames.

4.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to suddenly start burning very strongly, with large flames.

例句

Dry grass burst into flames after the small spark landed.

burst into flames

The shed burst into flames while the family ate dinner.

同義詞
  • ignite

    more technical and often used for the moment fire starts

  • catch fire

    more general and more common in everyday speech

  • flare up

    can also describe a sudden increase in an existing fire

反義詞

文法句型

burst into flames

用法筆記

Usually used with 'into flames' for something catching fire very suddenly. It suggests a quick move from heat or spark to visible fire, not slow burning.

常見錯誤

The shed burst to flames after the spark.
The shed burst into flames after the spark.
💡this sense takes the phrase 'into flames'.

5. to come, move, or appear suddenly and with a lot of energy.

5.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to come, move, or appear suddenly and with a lot of energy.

例句

Owen burst into the room with muddy shoes and big news.

burst into + place

A cat burst out from under the sofa during the storm.

burst out from + place

同義詞
  • rush

    more general and does not always suggest a dramatic entrance

  • dash

    focuses on speed more than force or surprise

  • spring

    suggests a quick jump or sudden movement from one spot

反義詞
  • edge in

    move in slowly and carefully

  • linger

    stay or move without urgency

文法句型

burst into + place

burst out from + place

burst through + opening

用法筆記

Usually followed by a phrase showing the direction or place, such as 'into the room' or 'out from under the sofa'. It stresses sudden movement more than simple arrival.

常見錯誤

Owen burst the room with big news.
Owen burst into the room with big news.
💡this movement sense normally needs a place phrase such as 'into' or 'out of'.

bursting — noun