crack up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crack up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal phrase used to mean laugh uncontrollably. Example: The comedian was so funny that the audience cracked up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

They crack up every time.

The New York Times

(They both crack up again).

The New Yorker

They will crack up laughing".

The New Yorker

And crack up – she makes me laugh".

The New York Times

She would just crack up".

The New York Times

"He's so funny, I just crack up".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Upchuck DNA makes people crack up-use sparingly.

WikiHow

Still, "The Crack-Up" was hardly innocent of worldly calculation.

The New Yorker

The Republican crack-up ReprintsBipartisanship is a popular cause.

The Economist

Williams, revealingly, calls such a scenario "a crack-up".

The Guardian

I guess it had something to do with my crack-up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a mental breakdown, use "crack up" cautiously, as it can be considered insensitive. Opt for more formal or clinical terms when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "crack up" when referring to literal physical cracks or breaks in objects. While the words are similar, the meanings are distinct, and using "crack up" in this context would be incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "crack up" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating a subject's action of laughing heartily. Ludwig confirms this with multiple examples where subjects "crack up" in response to humor or amusing situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

22%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

The New Yorker

6%

Independent

6%

Los Angeles Times

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "crack up" primarily means to laugh heartily and uncontrollably, though it can also refer to experiencing a mental breakdown. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, media, and informal contexts. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it's crucial to be mindful of potential insensitivity when using it to describe mental health issues. Using related phrases like "burst out laughing" or "lose it" can offer alternatives depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burst out laughing

Implies a sudden and uncontrollable expression of laughter, similar to the initial reaction of "cracking up".

dissolve into laughter

Indicates a gradual shift into unrestrained laughter, akin to "cracking up".

lose it

Indicates losing control, which can refer to either laughter or an emotional breakdown, mirroring two meanings of "crack up".

roar with laughter

Captures the intense, loud expression of amusement, reflecting the result of "cracking up".

fall apart

Specifically refers to the 'emotional breakdown' sense of "crack up", emphasizing the disintegration of mental or emotional stability.

break down

Similar to "fall apart", this emphasizes a collapse, usually emotional or mental.

be reduced to tears

Emphasizes the emotional distress aspect, focusing on crying as the outcome of "cracking up".

descend into hysteria

Highlights an uncontrolled emotional state, linking to the 'losing control' aspect of the phrase.

become unglued

Suggests a loss of composure and emotional control, similar to the sense of emotional breakdown.

find something hilarious

Focuses on the cause of laughter, the extreme funniness that leads one to "crack up".

FAQs

How can I use "crack up" in a sentence?

You can use "crack up" to describe someone laughing uncontrollably, as in "The comedian was so funny, I "cracked up" during the entire show". It can also mean to have a mental breakdown, though this usage is less common.

What does it mean when someone says they "cracked up"?

Generally, "cracked up" means someone laughed heartily or uncontrollably. However, it can also mean that someone experienced a mental or emotional breakdown, though this usage is less common today.

Are there more formal alternatives to "crack up"?

Yes, if you need a more formal way to say someone laughed a lot, you could say they "burst into laughter" or "were convulsed with laughter". If you're referring to a mental breakdown, use terms like "experienced a mental breakdown" or "suffered a nervous collapse".

Is it appropriate to use "crack up" to describe a mental breakdown?

While "crack up" can mean to experience a mental breakdown, it's often considered insensitive and outdated. Using more clinical and respectful language, such as "mental health crisis" or "emotional distress", is generally recommended.