bubble (redirected from bubbled up)

the bubble bursts

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

See also: burst

burst the bubble

the bubble bursts - a very happy or successful period of time suddenly ends. Their first argument burst the bubble.

See also: burst

---

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)

burst someone's bubble

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.

(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