busting a gut
Cackling until breathless
Busting a gut means either laughing extremely hard or exerting maximum effort.
The laughter sense suggests convulsive, uncontrollable laughing: That comedian had us busting a gut.
The effort sense implies straining oneself: I've been busting a gut to finish this project on time.
Context usually makes clear which is meant.
- hilarityExtreme amusement, often shared
- breaking one's backExerting oneself strenuously
- laughterVocal expression of amusement
- strainExcessive stretching force
- effortApplied energy toward goals
labor · toil · blood sweat and tears · cracking up · dying laughing · pulling out all the stops · in stitches · exertion · laughing one's head off · laughing fit · amusement · sweat · belly laugh · comic relief · hustle · going the extra mile · nose to the grindstone · push
- overexertionoverwork, burnout, overtraining, straining, overdrive
busting a gutstone-faced
Revealing no expression
poker-faced · deadpan · straight-faced · unamused · keeping a straight face
busting a gutslacking off
Neglecting responsibilities deliberately
taking it easy · coasting · phoning it in · loafing · goofing off
bust, busting, busted, busts, buster, busters, guts, gutted, gutting