burst at the seams
Packed beyond capacity
To burst at the seams is to be filled beyond capacity, like clothing straining against its stitching.
A room bursts at the seams when overcrowded: The stadium was bursting at the seams.
A person bursting at the seams with excitement can barely contain it.
The phrase emphasizes fullness threatening to overflow.
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- crowdingExcessive gathering in limited space
- jam-packedExtremely crowded or full
- packed to the gillsFilled to absolute capacity
- standing room onlyNo seats available
overcapacity · overflow · spilling over · plenitude · congestion · rupture · brim · spill · crammed · elation · saturation · surplus · exhilaration · leak · stuffed · passion · ecstasy · profusion