"Bursting seams" is a phrase commonly used to describe an object bursting at the seams due to the excess of its contents. The phonetic transcription for "bursting seams" is /ˈbɜːstɪŋ siːmz/. The word "bursting" is spelled with a "u" and not an "e" because it derives from the Old English word "berstan." The first "s" in "seams" is pronounced as a "z" due to its placement between two vowels. The "ea" diphthong in "seams" is pronounced as /iː/ because it follows the "s" sound.
Bursting seams refers to a condition or situation in which the seams, typically referring to the stitched joints or connections between two materials or objects, become excessively strained or overwhelmed, causing them to break or split open. This term is often used metaphorically to describe a situation where pressure or stress has reached a breaking point, resulting in a visible manifestation of disruption or failure.
In the literal sense, bursting seams commonly occur in textiles, garments, upholsteries, or containers that have been subject to excessive tension or pressure. This strain may result from factors such as overstuffing, overly tight stitching, incompatible materials, lack of reinforcement, or the presence of a defect. When the limits of the seams are surpassed, they give way and break open, leading to visible damage or tear.
Metaphorically, bursting seams describes a scenario in which some form of containment or limitation has been exceeded, leading to an uncontrolled release or breakdown. It symbolizes a situation in which there is excessive pressure, tension, or quantity that cannot be contained within existing boundaries. This can occur in various contexts, such as describing overwhelming demand or activity, intense emotions, overcrowding, excessive growth, or unsustainable conditions. Bursting seams implies a state of crisis, chaos, or overwhelm, suggesting that the system or situation has reached its limits and is on the verge of collapsing or failing.
The phrase "bursting seams" is a figurative expression that refers to a situation or thing that is under extreme pressure, stress, or strain, to the point of breaking or causing damage.
The term "bursting" comes from the verb "burst", which means to break open suddenly and violently due to internal pressure or strain. It can also mean to exceed normal limits or capabilities.
The word "seams" refers to the lines of stitching or joining in fabric or other materials. Seams are typically designed to withstand stress and hold the material together. When something is described as "bursting seams", it suggests that the pressure or strain on the object is so great that it exceeds the structural integrity of the seams, causing them to break or give way.
In terms of etymology, "burst" can be traced back to the Old English word "berstan", which meant "to break".