ENGLISH
REFERENCE

erupt in

phrasal verb.
Definition

phrasal verb. to suddenly start a loud or violent activity, such as shouting, laughing, or fighting. You use this when a situation or a group of people suddenly changes from calm to noisy or aggressive.

phrasal verb. to burst forth suddenly into a state of intense activity, noise, or emotion. Typically used with nouns representing collective human behaviour or states of conflict.


SIMPLE

The crowd erupted in cheers when the team scored.

CONTEXTUAL

The tense meeting erupted in shouting after the manager announced the sudden budget cuts.

COMPLEX

Following the controversial referee decision, the stadium erupted in a cacophony of boos and whistles that lasted for several minutes.

Usage

Always takes a noun phrase as an object, typically describing a sound or an emotional reaction.

Last updated July 27, 2026