The phrase "brims over" means to overflow or spill out. It is pronounced /brɪmz ˈoʊvər/ in IPA phonetic transcription. "Brims" is pronounced with a short i sound /ɪ/ and a voiced s /z/ at the end, followed by "over" which is pronounced with the long o sound /oʊ/, and a schwa sound /ər/ at the end. The spelling of "brims over" accurately represents the pronunciation of each individual word, making it easier for English learners to understand and use the word correctly in context.
The term "brims over" is a metaphorical expression used to describe a situation where an emotion or a feeling becomes so intense that it cannot be contained, leading to an overflowing or overwhelming display of that emotion. The phrase is often used to describe positive emotions like happiness, joy, enthusiasm, or excitement, as well as negative emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness.
When someone's emotions "brim over," it means that they reach a point where they can no longer be controlled or hidden, resulting in an outpouring of their feelings. It is as if the emotions become too abundant or powerful to be contained within the person. This overflow is usually accompanied by visible signs such as tears, laughter, animated gestures, or passionate speeches.
For example, if a person is extremely happy and their joy "brims over," they might start laughing uncontrollably, jumping up and down, or hugging everyone around them. Similarly, if someone's anger "brims over," they may raise their voice, express their frustration loudly, or become physically aggressive.
The phrase "brims over" often implies a sense of intensity, spontaneity, and a lack of control. It suggests that the emotions have reached their boiling point and can no longer be restrained. Therefore, "brims over" indicates a moment when emotions exceed their normal limits, resulting in a dramatic or excessive outburst.
The term "brims over" is derived from the combination of two separate words: "brim" and "over".
The word "brim" can be traced back to the Old English word "brym", meaning "edge" or "rim". It is related to the Old Norse word "barmr" and the Middle Low German word "brem", which both have similar meanings. Over time, "brim" evolved to specifically refer to the upper edge or rim of a container or vessel.
The word "over" has its roots in the Old English word "ofer", which means "above" or "beyond". It has similar origins in other Germanic languages, such as the Old High German word "ubar" and the Old Norse word "yfir".