Burst at the seams

Meaning

"Burst at the seams" is an idiom that means something has reached or exceeded its maximum capacity, to the point of breaking or overflowing. The phrase implies that the thing in question is under immense pressure and cannot contain any more.

Usage

• The new office building burst at the seams with excited employees on its opening day.
• The restaurant was so crowded that it seemed like it would burst at the seams.
• When I walked into the party, it was already busting at the seams with people.
• My backpack burst at the seams when I tried to cram in all my books for the exams.
• The city's population has grown so rapidly that it's starting to burst at the seams. The usage of "burst at the seams" can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used to describe a physical object or space that is full to capacity, such as an office building or a backpack. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or event that has become overwhelming or out of control.

Roots and History

The phrase "burst at the seams" dates back to the early 20th century. It first appeared in print in 1918 in a book about the history of the United States. Over time, its usage has become more common and is now widely used in contemporary language. There are no significant changes in meaning or usage over time.

Synonyms in English

• Filled to capacity
• Packed to the gills
• Stuffed to the brim
• Maxed out
• Overcrowded

Synonyms in other languages

• Encombre (Spanish) - meaning "encompass" or "cover"
• Echados al viento (Spanish) - meaning "thrown away" or "discarded"
• Pienza alla gola (Italian) - meaning "sufficient for one's belly"
• Dårligt full (Swedish) - meaning "badly filled" or "poorly packed"
• 满坑 (Chinese) - meaning "filled to capacity"

Similar Idioms

• break a leg

• knock socks off

• belle of the ball