bring down the house
en
en
Change language
Translating...
/brɪŋ daʊn ðə haʊs/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A vivid way to say that a performance, joke, speech, or public moment gets a loud, delighted audience reaction.
Examples
A bold keynote can bring down the house without sounding rehearsed.
Her encore brought down the house and drew a standing ovation.
The children's choir brought down the house at the festival.
The comedian brought down the house with one sharp final joke.
When he imitated the mayor, he brought down the house.
Similar words
captivate
impress
thrill
electrify
wow
delight
Meanings
Examples
The comedian brought down the house with one sharp final joke.
Her encore brought down the house and drew a standing ovation.
The cast hoped the new ending would bring down the house on opening night.
When he imitated the mayor, he brought down the house.
A bold keynote can bring down the house without sounding rehearsed.
The children's choir brought down the house at the festival.
Similar words
wow
thrill
delight
electrify
captivate
impress
Etymology
Built on house as a theatre word for the audience and the venue, with the comic image of applause or laughter loud enough to shake the building.
FAQ
What does bring down the house mean?
Bring down the house means to make an audience applaud, laugh, or cheer loudly.
Is bring down the house literal?
No. It is figurative and describes a delighted audience reaction, not a building falling down.
Can a speech bring down the house?
Yes. A speech, joke, song, scene, or performance can bring down the house if the audience reacts strongly.
Is bring the house down also correct?
Yes. Bring the house down is a common related form with the same meaning.
What is the past tense of bring down the house?
The past tense is brought down the house.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.