bust a gut
Strain yourself laughing
Bust a gut means to exert oneself strenuously, often to the point of exhaustion: I busted a gut trying to finish the project on time.
It can also mean to laugh extremely hard, as if rupturing something internal: We busted a gut watching that comedy special.
Both senses invoke physical strain pushed to a breaking point.
belly laugh
Loud, uncontrolled amusement
cackle · snort · chortle · crack up · lose it · double over · convulse · chuckle · snicker · titter
strain
Excessive stretching force
- exertionVigorous physical effort
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- sweatMoisture from skin pores
toil · push · grind · labor · slog · heave · hustle · persevere · strive · work hard
- laughterlaugh, giggling, chuckling, laughing, snickering
- maximum effortall-out, full throttle, go all out, go hard, all in
- Hard Workgrind, hustle, toil, effort, labor
- escalationescalation, escalate, ratchet up, worsen, intensify
bust a gutchuckle
Low, suppressed laugh
smirk · titter · snicker · stone-faced · poker-faced
bust a gutscowl
Angry facial expression
frown · burst into tears · glower · grimace · weep
bust a gutslack off
Reduce one's effort
take it easy · coast · phone it in · loaf · dog it