Bursting at the Seams – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever been to a concert that was so packed, the room felt like it could not hold one more person? It was bursting at the seams. This common idiom describes something that is extremely full, crowded, or successful, often to the point of almost breaking. Learning bursting at the seams will help you vividly describe overcrowding and overflowing success.
What Does “Bursting at the Seams” Mean?
“Bursting at the seams” means to be excessively full or crowded. The “seams” are the stitches that hold fabric together. If something is so full that its seams might split open, it is bursting at the seams.
Think of it like this: A suitcase packed with too many clothes is bursting at the seams. A popular restaurant with a long line out the door is bursting at the seams with customers.
Remember, it can be used for both physical spaces and abstract concepts, like pride or excitement.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom to describe many situations of extreme fullness.
- Crowded Places: “The subway car was bursting at the seams during rush hour.”
- Successful Events: “The new product launch was a success; our inbox is bursting at the seams with orders.”
- Emotions: “She was bursting at the seams with pride after her graduation.”
The tone is descriptive and often exaggerated for effect. It is common in informal conversations.
Example Sentences
- After the holidays, my suitcase was bursting at the seams with gifts.
- The small school is bursting at the seams as more families move to the area.
- He was bursting at the seams to tell everyone his good news.
- The market is bursting at the seams with fresh produce in the summer.
Mini Dialogue
Event Planner: “How is the registration for the conference?”
Assistant: “We’re bursting at the seams! We’ve already reached maximum capacity and people are still trying to sign up.”
Event Planner: “That’s a great problem to have, but we need to find a bigger venue!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is using it for things that are just “full,” but not excessively so. The idiom implies a maximum, almost uncomfortable level of fullness.
❌ Don’t say: “My glass is bursting at the seams with water.” (A glass is not held together by seams, and this is a slight overstatement).
✅ Do say: “My schedule is bursting at the seams with meetings.” OR “The storage closet is bursting at the seams with old files.”
Practice Tip
Look at a full closet, a busy calendar, or a crowded café. You can think to yourself, “This is bursting at the seams.” It’s a great way to visualize the meaning.
Final Note
This is a fun and expressive idiom. It paints a clear picture of something being overly full, whether with people, things, or even emotions. Use it to add color and emphasis to your descriptions!
