bring the house down

bring the house down

1. Literally, to raze or demolish a house so that nothing is left standing. Our home was built on unsteady, uneven ground. When the city was rocked by the freak earthquake, it brought the house down on top of us.
2. To perform or entertain so successfully as to cause the audience to erupt in applause, laughter, or cheers for a long stretch of time. She is a rising star as a stand-up comedian, always able to bring the house down during each performance.
See also: bring, down, house
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bring the house down

 
1. Lit. to cause a house to collapse. The most severe earthquake in years finally brought the house down. The earthquake brought down all the houses on the hillside.
2. Fig. [for a performance or a performer] to excite the audience into making a great clamor of approval. Karen's act brought the house down. She really brought down the house with her comedy.
See also: bring, down, house
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

bring the house down

If a person or their performance brings the house down, the audience claps and cheers loudly for a long time because they liked the performance so much. Juliet Stevenson is used to bringing the house down when she appears on stage. We had just one rehearsal and I was so nervous but the show brought the house down. Note: In this expression, the `house' means a theatre.
See also: bring, down, house
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

bring the house down

make an audience respond with great enthusiasm, especially as shown by their laughter or applause.
See also: bring, down, house
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

bring the ˈhouse down

(informal) make everyone laugh a lot or clap their hands loudly, especially at a performance in the theatre: Their act brought the house down when they played in London. ‘Did he sing well?’ ‘He brought the house down!’
See also: bring, down, house
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • level (something) to the ground
  • level to the ground
  • raze
  • raze (something) to the ground
  • raze to the ground
  • wobble about
  • wobble around
  • bump along
  • literally
  • stumble through
References in classic literature
It was deafening, distressing, and vaguely alarming as if it could bring the house down. At the same time the futility of it had, it cannot be denied, a comic effect.
Arrow of Gold
The short boy had gained a great advantage over the tall boy, who was reduced to mortal strait, and both were overlooked by a large heavy man, perched against the corner of a table, who emphatically adjured them to strike a little more fire out of the swords, and they couldn't fail to bring the house down, on the very first night.
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
He will bring the house down if he can make it eight on the sussex Downs, as in doing so he will complete a Goodwood Cup hat-trick - emulating the feat of the hugely popular Double Trigger.
Fingers crossed in counter measure; AT THE RACES
The talented pupils are set to bring the house down with the colourful show and such well known songs as Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door and Those Canaan Days.
Joseph on centre stage in Annan
After telling Rockstar in his goodbye message that he will bring the house down, Faysal appeared to team up with the other side of the house.
2 Houseguests Up For Eviction In 'Big Brother' 20
A mysterious guest could bring the house down. You've only known them a short time, but they're acting like a long-lost friend.
Stars; JUSTIN TOPER'S WEEKLY PREDICTIONS
Cue Card, the 2013 Ryanair Chase hero, will bring the house down if he wins - and that's not out of the question after a returnto-form second behind Waiting Patiently at Ascot in February.
MULLINS CAN SCEAUX IT UP; In association with
MANILA -- This Saturday, as she graces Manila, she will be sure to bring the house down with nonstop dancing that will last till the wee hours of the morning.
DJ Yasmin to perform live at Hyve
Helme Junior and Infants is a small school compared to some but they got the same cheers and "bring the house down" applause from a packed audience of relatives and friends as the big schools.
Strictly superb; Mailbag letters also appear online at www.examiner.co.uk/views-and-blogs/reader-letters Mailbag
One to bring the house down THERE is nothing quite like the roar that erupts from the packed stands as the tapes go up for the first race of the meeting, but the cheer which will greet Cue Card if he is leading the pack up the hill some four minutes later will surely run it close.
CROWD PLEASER
But Hugh returned to bring the house down with the old favourites, kicking off with Sometimes, followed by the entire album, including Goodbye Toulouse, Peaches, Hanging Around and Down In The Sewer.
Hugh has a Ratty moment; REVIEWS: Hugh Cornwell O2 ACADEMY, BIRMINGHAM
http://bit.ly/2Mn02c >Video of the week How to bring the house down during a wedding dance.
WEB WATCH
DOES your child have what it takes to bring the house down? They could win a panto package special if they yell away the competition today in Leamington.
Kids in with a shout of panto trip
It was the last day in the old pub and if the farewell party didn't bring the house down the bulldozers certainly would.
Remember When
Jonathan Corbett, exotic vegetable buyer at Tesco, says: "These little green chillis bring the house down when they're served, because there's no way of telling which one is the hot one."
Watch out, there could be a killer chilli hiding on your plate