be in stitches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in stitches" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a state of uncontrollable laughter or amusement. Example: "The comedian's jokes were so funny that the entire audience was in stitches throughout the performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mother would be in stitches, but Father would say to her, 'Your son is an idiot.

The New Yorker

That's not to say wine enthusiasts don't have a sense of humour – say "Carignan Camping" to one and he'll be in stitches – but wine jokes do tend to be rather specialised.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We were in stitches.

The Guardian - Film

He was in stitches now.

The New Yorker

My father would have been in stitches.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You literally are in stitches throughout cabinet.

The Guardian

12.40pm BST "I'm in stitches at this snap", emails Duncan Montgomery.

The Guardian - Sport

At a recent on-stage interview at the National Film Theatre, the audience were in stitches before Benigni even opened his mouth.

The Guardian - Film

The first half of the show I was doing a load of German material and Dolph was in stitches.

The Guardian

The senior subs were in stitches – and I knew instinctively that I'd made the right move.

The Guardian

They were in stitches; I was watching them having stitches, glumly chomping on my popcorn and wishing I were in London.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be in stitches" to describe situations where someone finds something extremely funny, to the point of being physically affected by laughter. It is best used when the humor is unexpected or particularly delightful.

Common error

Avoid using "be in stitches" for mildly amusing situations. This idiom implies a high level of amusement, so reserve it for truly hilarious scenarios to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in stitches" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a state of extreme amusement or uncontrollable laughter. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English, commonly found in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "be in stitches" is a descriptive expression used to convey extreme amusement or uncontrollable laughter. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various informal contexts, particularly in news and media. While "be in stitches" effectively communicates intense amusement, it is advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "extremely amused" or "highly entertained" in professional or academic settings. When you aim to express a lower degree of funniness, instead, avoid using this expression. Related phrases such as "laugh one's head off" or "roll on the floor laughing" can be used to describe more casual expressions of laughter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laugh one's head off

Implies unrestrained laughter, possibly louder and more boisterous than "be in stitches".

roll on the floor laughing

Suggests a more physical reaction to humor, indicating extreme amusement.

crack up

Informal term for suddenly bursting into laughter.

be doubled over with laughter

Describes a physical reaction to laughter, implying intense amusement.

be convulsed with laughter

Indicates a strong, uncontrollable bout of laughter.

split one's sides

An older idiom conveying extreme amusement, similar to "be in stitches".

guffaw

Focuses on the sound of loud, hearty laughter.

howl with laughter

Suggests loud and prolonged laughter, emphasizing the vocal expression of amusement.

roar with laughter

Emphasizes the loud and unrestrained nature of the laughter.

chuckle heartily

Implies a warm, genuine, and sustained amusement.

FAQs

How can I use "be in stitches" in a sentence?

You can use "be in stitches" to describe someone who is laughing uncontrollably. For example, "The comedian's jokes had the audience "be in stitches"."

What does "be in stitches" mean?

"Be in stitches" is an idiom that means to laugh uncontrollably or be extremely amused by something.

What can I say instead of "be in stitches"?

Alternatives to "be in stitches" include "laugh one's head off", "roll on the floor laughing", or "crack up", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "be in stitches" in formal writing?

While "be in stitches" is widely understood, it is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using a more neutral phrase like "extremely amused" or "highly entertained".