# fall about

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fall-about
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to laugh a lot because you find something extremely funny.

For teachers: to laugh uncontrollably or excessively; typically used in British English and often followed by the preposition 'laughing'.

## Examples

- We all fell about when he told that joke.
- The audience fell about laughing as the comedian struggled to keep a straight face during the sketch.
- The entire room fell about at the sheer absurdity of the situation, unable to maintain any semblance of professional decorum.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They fell about for the joke." but "They fell about at the joke." — the preposition 'at' or 'laughing' usually follows the phrase to indicate the cause of the laughter.

## Usage notes

- primarily British English; often used in the pattern 'fall about laughing'.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'crack up' or 'burst out laughing'; note that 'fall about' implies a physical loss of control, as if one is literally falling over from laughter.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.