double over with laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

"double over with laughter" is correct and is usable in written English.
It is an idiom that is usually used when someone is laughing so hard that they have to bend in half to laugh. For example, "I watched the comedy show and I was doubled over with laughter the whole time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Nate Silver would double over with laughter at the methodology.

The New York Times

My first fumbling attempt, years ago, caused my cabdriver to double over with laughter.

The New York Times - Food

Any engineer would double over with laughter.

Forbes

You'll forget what you accomplished, what made you double over with laughter, and what mistakes threatened to derail everything -- only to teach you so much you'll eventually attribute much of your happiness to them.

Huffington Post

The thought made him double over with laughter.

Los Angeles Times

There were so many of those occasions, don't you think?" "I don't actually," Boyle answers, a response that makes Fassbender double over with laughter.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

To a woman who was waiting for the flight, he spoke loudly, in a mock-Sardinian dialect — "Zaganauu uzzauu tu porceddu!" — until the woman doubled over with laughter.

The New Yorker

I don't remember the last time I actually doubled over with laughter, pounding my fist on my thigh for good measure as the lines and laughs built and built.

Huffington Post

After one burst of speed that finished with a syncopated twist, Anoushka Shankar, accompanying her father, doubled over with delighted laughter.

The New York Times

Soon we were both doubled over with brain-ruining laughter.

The New York Times - Sports

The punnery and delicious absurdity of his characters and their actions had me doubled over, howling with laughter, which upset the drab January crowd.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "double over with laughter" to vividly depict a physical reaction to something extremely funny. It emphasizes both the amusement and the physical impact of the laughter.

Common error

While "double over with laughter" is acceptable in many situations, it might sound slightly informal in very formal or academic writing. Consider using a more neutral phrase like "found it extremely amusing" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "double over with laughter" functions as a descriptive idiom. It vividly illustrates a physical response to intense amusement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for portraying extreme hilarity causing a person to bend over.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "double over with laughter" is a descriptive idiom used to illustrate a strong physical reaction to something humorous. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for general use, although it may be less appropriate in highly formal contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, this phrase effectively conveys intense amusement. Related expressions include "be in stitches" and "roar with laughter", offering alternative ways to express extreme hilarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall about laughing

Similar to "double over", this focuses on the physical reaction to laughter, emphasizing a loss of balance.

be convulsed with laughter

Highlights the physical convulsions or shaking caused by extreme laughter.

roar with laughter

Emphasizes the loud and unrestrained nature of the laughter.

laugh one's head off

Suggests a wild and unrestrained bout of laughter.

split one's sides laughing

Similar to "be in stitches", this emphasizes the physical impact of intense laughter.

be in stitches

Uses a different metaphor to describe extreme laughter, focusing on the feeling of being stitched up or constricted by laughter.

burst out laughing

Focuses on the sudden and explosive start of laughter.

dissolve into laughter

Suggests a complete surrender to laughter, as if melting into it.

crack up

A more informal way of saying someone started laughing uncontrollably.

chuckle uncontrollably

Describes laughter that can't be stopped, although less physically dramatic than "double over".

FAQs

What does it mean to "double over with laughter"?

To "double over with laughter" means to bend your body at the waist because you are laughing so much. It's a physical expression of extreme amusement.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "double over with laughter"?

It's suitable for describing a scene where someone finds something incredibly funny. It works well in narratives, personal anecdotes, and even some news reporting, but it can be less appropriate in formal academic or business writing.

What are some alternative phrases for "double over with laughter"?

You can use alternatives like "be in stitches", "roar with laughter", or "fall about laughing" to express a similar idea.

Is "doubled over with laughter" grammatically correct?

Yes, "doubled over with laughter" is grammatically correct and a common variation of "double over with laughter". Both phrases are acceptable and widely understood.