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Meaning & use

busting at the seams

phrase·Advancedinformal

Last updated

UK/ˈbʌstɪŋ ət ðə ˈsiːmz/
US/ˈbʌstɪŋ ət ðə ˈsiːmz/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiominformalfigurative

    So full of people or things that there is hardly any room left.

    Grammar: Follows a form of be and describes a place or container: the room was busting at the seams.

    Patterns

    • be busting at the seams with something
    • be busting at the seams

    The stadium was busting at the seams on the night of the final.

    My closet is busting at the seams with old clothes.

    The little cafe was busting at the seams by lunchtime.

  2. phraseidiominformalfigurative

    Feeling so strongly about something, such as pride or joy, that you can hardly hold it in.

    Grammar: Follows a form of be, usually with a person as subject, often with with or from.

    Patterns

    • be busting at the seams with pride
    • be busting at the seams

    Her parents were busting at the seams with pride at the graduation.

    He was busting at the seams to tell everyone the news.

Common combinations

busting at the seams with
The shelves were busting at the seams with books.
practically busting at the seams
The hall was practically busting at the seams.
busting at the seams with pride
He was busting at the seams with pride.
the town is busting at the seams
During the festival, the town is busting at the seams.

Synonyms and how they differ

bursting at the seams
Bursting at the seams is the more standard form of the same idiom, while busting is more casual and American.
packed
Packed means very crowded but has no picture of splitting open, so it is more neutral.
overflowing
Overflowing suggests contents are spilling out, while busting at the seams only means there is no more room.
jam-packed
Jam-packed is also informal and equal in meaning, but it is only about crowding, not strong feelings.

Opposites

emptydeserted

Word family

bust verb
to break or burst, in informal use
seam noun
the line where two pieces of cloth are sewn
burst verb
to break open from pressure

Commonly confused: busting at the seams or bursting at the seams?

busting at the seams vs bursting at the seams

This is the more formal version, while busting at the seams is looser slang with the same meaning.

Practice

The tiny apartment was ___ with all the boxes the family had brought from their old house.

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