brimming over

USAGE SUMMARY

"brimming over" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to be full or overflowing with something, usually a strong emotion or feeling. Example: The party was a huge success, with the guests brimming over with joy and laughter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither is exactly brimming over with gravitas.

The New York Times

My house is... brimming over with chaos.

Independent

Iraq is brimming over with rubble.

The Guardian - Travel

Couples lean forward, suddenly brimming over with things to say to each other.

The New York Times - Food

Women aren't hazchem bins brimming over with hormones, their emotions sloshing about everywhere.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

By 1970, the British ambassador reported, Mandela's cell was brimming over with some 2,000 books.

The Guardian

The electronic discovery of this lost world was brimming over with intriguing possibilities.

The Guardian

When I started university, I was brimming over with enthusiasm about the lifelong career I was embarking on.

The Guardian

But that has not prevented the paddock in Singapore from brimming over with guests, announcements, media and other moments worth noting.

The New York Times

"I feel like my life has come full circle, and I'm brimming over with a sense of legacy and accomplishment," Mr. Dolphin said.

The New York Times

In fact, our mantlepiece is positively brimming over with industry awards.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brimming over" to vividly describe a state of abundance, particularly when referring to emotions, ideas, or physical contents that exceed a container's capacity. For example, "The author's latest book is brimming over with suspense and intrigue."

Common error

Be mindful of using "over" unnecessarily in conjunction with "brimming over". For example, saying "brimming over and above" is redundant, as the phrase already implies exceeding a limit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brimming over" functions primarily as a descriptive modifier, often used to depict a state of abundance or overflow, particularly with emotions or abstract qualities. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and commonly used. Examples show usage in contexts like describing a person's emotional state or the abundance of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brimming over" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of abundance or overflow, especially with emotions or abstract qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is appropriate for a neutral register and is frequently found in News & Media. When using this phrase, avoid redundancy and consider alternatives like "overflowing with" or "filled to the brim" to add variety to your writing. It is a descriptive modifier that emphasizes intensity and is widely understood, making it effective for conveying vivid imagery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overflowing with

This alternative uses a direct synonym for "brimming", emphasizing the sense of exceeding capacity.

filled to the brim

This phrase offers a more literal image of fullness, suggesting that something is filled completely to its edge.

teeming with

This option highlights a state of being full of something lively or active, like a crowd or ideas.

awash with

This implies that something is covered or flooded with an abundance of something, often an emotion or quality.

saturated with

This option suggests a state of being completely permeated or soaked with something, often a feeling or quality.

full of

This is a more general alternative, simply indicating that something contains a large quantity of something else.

abounding in

This phrase suggests a rich supply or surplus of something, indicating that it's readily available.

radiating with

This alternative suggests that something is emitting a quality or emotion intensely.

bursting with

This implies a sudden and forceful expression of an abundance of something, often energy or enthusiasm.

flush with

This option suggests a state of having a plentiful supply of something, often money or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "brimming over" in a sentence?

"Brimming over" is often used to describe a state of being full or overflowing, especially with emotions or qualities. For example, "The child's eyes were "brimming over" with excitement."

What's a good alternative to "brimming over"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "overflowing with", "filled to the brim", or "teeming with".

Is it grammatically correct to say "brimming over with"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The preposition "with" is commonly used after "brimming over" to indicate what something is full of. For example, "The conference was "brimming over" with new ideas."

What is the difference between "brimming over" and "overflowing"?

While both suggest fullness, "brimming over" often implies a state just before overflowing or being intensely full of something, particularly emotions or abstract qualities. "Overflowing" suggests that the contents have already exceeded the container's capacity and are spilling out.