Phrase guide

burst someone's bubble

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • I hate to burst his bubble, but he is going to be disappointed if he tries that idea.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bust someone's bubble, pop someone's balloon, burst someone's bubble, piss in someone's cereal, piss in someone's Cheerios, piss in someone's cornflakes, piss on someone's chips, piss on someone's bonfire, piss on someone's campfire, put a damper on, rain on someone's parade, shit in someone's cereal, shit in someone's Cheerios, shit in someone's cornflakes, take the wind out of someone's sails, upset the applecart

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: brát iluze — to disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable
  • Czech: kazit radost — to disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable
  • French: casser le morceau — to disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable
  • French: casser le mythe — to disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable
  • German: jemandem seine Illusionen rauben — to disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable
  • German: jemandem seine Illusionen zerstören — to disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable
  • Polish: studzić zapał — to disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable
  • Polish: ostudzić zapał — to disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable
  • Portuguese: cortar o barato de alguém — to disillusion; to disabuse someone of a false notion or rationalization that has grown comfortable