bring the house down
1. Literally, to raze or demolish a house so that nothing is left standing. Our home was built on unsteady, uneven ground. When the city was rocked by the freak earthquake, it brought the house down on top of us. When these bad storms hit, I'm always worried that the strong winds will bring the house down. Buddy, this place is so old, you'd be better off bringing the house down and starting over altogether!
2. To perform or entertain so successfully as to cause the audience to erupt in applause, laughter, or cheers for a long stretch of time. She is a rising star as a stand-up comedian, always able to bring the house down during each performance. A: "I had no idea Liana could sing like that!" B: "Right? Her performance in the talent show really brought the house down!" I didn't think I'd bring the house down, but I didn't expect to get booed off the stage either!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bring the house down
1. Lit. to cause a house to collapse. The most severe earthquake in years finally brought the house down. The earthquake brought down all the houses on the hillside.
2. Fig. [for a performance or a performer] to excite the audience into making a great clamor of approval. Karen's act brought the house down. She really brought down the house with her comedy.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
bring the house down
If a person or their performance brings the house down, the audience claps and cheers loudly for a long time because they liked the performance so much. Juliet Stevenson is used to bringing the house down when she appears on stage. We had just one rehearsal and I was so nervous but the show brought the house down. Note: In this expression, the `house' means a theatre.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
bring the house down
make an audience respond with great enthusiasm, especially as shown by their laughter or applause.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
bring the ˈhouse down
(informal) make everyone laugh a lot or clap their hands loudly, especially at a performance in the theatre: Their act brought the house down when they played in London. ♢ ‘Did he sing well?’ ‘He brought the house down!’Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017