bubble over
1. Literally, of a liquid, to boil so vigorously that it flows out of its container. If you put too much water in the pot, it might bubble over. Please keep an eye on the sauce—I don't want it to bubble over while I run to the bathroom. Turn off the burner before the soup bubbles over!
2. Of an emotion, to be too strong for one to contain or refrain from expressing. Her enthusiasm for the subject she teaches just bubbles over in the classroom. Their excitement at becoming homeowners is bubbling over—no one is usually that interested in discussing recessed lighting! Things got ugly on our family vacation once tensions between my aunts bubbled over.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bubble over
1. Lit. [for boiling or effervescent liquid] to spill or splatter over the edge of its container. The pot bubbled over and put out the flame on the stove. The stew bubbled over.
2. Fig. [for someone] to be so happy and merry that the joy "spills over" onto other people. She was just bubbling over, she was so happy. Lily bubbled over with joy.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
bubble over
v.1. To rise and spill over the edges of a container while boiling or effervescing: Soup bubbled over from the hot pan. Better turn the heat down; your stew is bubbling over!
2. To be full of some emotion, to the point where one cannot resist expressing it: We were bubbling over with excitement at the good news.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.