bubble

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.

bubble up (through something)

[for a liquid] to seep up or well up through something, such as from between rocks, through a crack in the floor, or through a hole in the bottom of a boat. The water bubbled up through a crack in the basement floor.

See also: up

burst someone's bubble

Fig. to destroy someone's illusion or delusion; to destroy someone's fantasy. I hate to burst your bubble, but Columbus did not discover Canada. Even if you think I am being foolish, please don't burst my bubble.

See also: burst

half a bubble off plumb

Fig. giddy; crazy. She is acting about half a bubble off plumb. What is wrong with her? Tom is just half a bubble off plumb, but he is all heart.

See also: half, plumb

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the bubble bursts

a very happy or successful period of time suddenly ends (usually in past tenses) The economy was booming, then the bubble burst with the stockmarket crash of October 1987.

See also: burst

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bubble up

to appear suddenly When she laughs, a happy child's laugh bubbles up out of her. The most interesting ideas in education have bubbled up in places as different as New York and Arizona.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bubble up (to rise to the surface of a liquid)

See also: up

burst somebody's bubble also burst the bubble of somebody

to tell someone unexpected bad news I don't want to burst her bubble by telling her we won't have a vacation this summer. He tries to burst the bubble of anyone who believes population growth is not a problem.

See also: burst

on the bubble

equally likely to experience either of two results The Cougars, who looked like they'd definitely be in the tournament a week ago, are suddenly a team on the bubble. Some states will vote for the Democrats, and some are likely to vote for the Republicans, but Arizona is on the bubble.

Related vocabulary: (live) on the edge

Etymology: based on the idea that something on the surface of a bubble is as likely to roll in one direction as in another