burst into tears
Start sobbing abruptly
To burst into tears is to begin crying suddenly, often from overwhelming emotion.
The phrase emphasizes the abruptness—tears arrive without warning or buildup: She burst into tears when she heard the news.
The trigger is usually sadness, frustration, or relief, though joy can prompt it too.
- bawlCry noisily and hard
- wailProlonged mournful cry
- sobConvulsive weeping
- ugly cryIntense, unflattering sobbing
- cryVocal expression of emotion
cry one's eyes out · sob uncontrollably · eyes · meltdown · crumple · fall apart · teardrop · whimper · waterworks · catharsis · blubber · uncontrollable · hiccuping · grief · heartbreak · weep · well up · sorrow
- burst into ___
emotional control
burst into tearskeep a stiff upper lip
Remain composed under pressure
hold it together · keep one's cool · steel oneself · put on a brave face · bite one's lip
suddenness and intensity
burst into tearsswallow hard