shake with laughter, to

shake with laughter

To be consumed by uncontrollable laughter. Primarily heard in UK. We all shook with laughter when the professor accidentally swore during his lecture. My brother-in-law's wicked sense of humor has us shaking with laughter every time we hang out with him.See also: laughter, shake

shake with laughter

Convulse with the humor of something, as in When asked if he was planning to give away the bride, he shook with laughter at the very thought . [Early 1700s] See also: laughter, shake

shake with laughter, to

To be convulsed with amusement. This sort of shaking is much more violent than trembling with fear or cold, causing one to “hold one’s sides,” i.e., to double over. John Milton used the image in L’Allegro (ca. 1635): “Laughter holding both his sides.” See also split one's sides.See also: shake