📣 bring down the house, to
Definition:
- To cause an uproar of applause and cheers.
Origin:
- This phrase originates from the mid-eighteenth-century theater and interestingly flips the action on its head. You’d think a cheering audience would “rise,” yet their spirited response can metaphorically “bring down the house.” Later involved a humorously antique warning: “Don’t clap so hard; you’ll bring the house down (it’s a very old house).”
Similar Expressions & Related Terms:
- “Stealing the show”
- “Receiving a standing ovation”
- “To be the toast of the town”
- “Curtain call”
🎭 Synonyms:
- Astonish
- Captivate
- Amaze
- Overwhelm
😒 Antonyms:
- Bore
- Disappoint
- Underwhelm
Humor-Filled Quotes and References:
- “When in doubt, let the applause be your thunder.” - Claptrap Comedic Classics 📚
- “A joke so flat it could catch mice.” - Anonymous Music-Hall Comedian
Inspirational Thought:
🏆 “The ability to bring down the house is not just about what you say or do, it’s about how you make others feel.” – The Playwright Prophet
Educational Tidbit:
Theatrical lingo often captivates audiences by painting vivid, exaggerated pictures, yet the core remains something deeply relatable.
Literature, Books, Songs, and Movies:
- Literature/Books: “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare - Where feasts of uproarious delight often led to metaphorically “bringing the house down.”
- Songs: “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor - A smashing hit anthem that could easily cause an ovation in many live performances.
- Movies: “The Greatest Showman” – A film that portrays the world of performing and often shows audiences “bringing down the house.”
📝 Quizzes to Test Your Applause-Ready Knowledge:
### Which of these idioms means to receive a lot of applause?
- [ ] "Breaking the fourth wall"
- [ ] "Sweeping the floor"
- [x] "Bringing down the house"
- [ ] "Jumping on the bandwagon"
> **Explanation:** "Bringing down the house" is to receive uproarious applause. The others have vastly different meanings.
### Which phrase can also mean 'captivating the audience'?
- [ ] "Spinning a yarn"
- [x] "Stealing the show"
- [ ] "Riding the wave"
- [ ] "Pushing the envelope"
> **Explanation:** "Stealing the show" means to become the focus of everyone's attention in a positive, captivating manner.
### True or False: 'Bringing down the house' is often used in a negative sense.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. It signifies a positive, applauding response from an audience.
### Fill in the blank: That joke was so flat, it couldn't _.
- [x] "bring down the house"
- [ ] "mow the lawn"
- [ ] "paint the town red"
- [ ] "move mountains"
> **Explanation:** The correct idiom here is "bring down the house," contrasting the effectiveness of a successful joke.
### Which of these is NOT a synonym for 'bring down the house'?
- [x] "Turn a blind eye"
- [ ] "Captivate"
- [ ] "Astonish"
- [ ] "Overwhelm"
> **Explanation:** "Turn a blind eye" means to ignore, which is not related to captivating an audience.
With wistful words and thunderous applause 🙌,
Bea L. Yugal 🌟 Keep striving to bring down your own house with your unique brilliance! ⭐
