To brim over is to overflow from fullness—liquid rising past the edge of a container: The bathtub brimmed over onto the floor.
More often figurative, describing emotions too intense to contain: Her eyes brimmed over with tears, He was brimming over with excitement.
The phrase suggests abundance spilling outward.
1. overflow — spill, Accidental liquid release; flood (Overwhelming water overflow); surge (Sudden powerful increase); gush (Flow out forcefully); cascade · pour · stream · deluge · inundate · engulf · swamp · overwhelm · saturate · overfill
2. exude — radiate, Send forth rays; emanate (To issue forth); beam (Structural support member); glow (Steady, soft light); shine · effuse · project · express · display · manifest · convey · pour forth
Opposites
FULLNESS/QUANTITYbrim over ≠ run dry Become completely depleted; empty out · empty · drain · dry up · half-empty
EMOTIONAL EXPRESSIONbrim over ≠ bottle up Suppress emotions internally; suppress · hold back · restrain · contain oneself · repress
Family
over, brim, overflow, overflowing, brimful, brimmed, overflows, spillover, overspill
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- Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G