Bring down the house

Meaning

Earn overwhelming applause or enthusiasm.

Usage

Used when crowds respond with great excitement.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Theatre metaphor of such applause it feels like the building is falling.

Used in vaudeville and Broadway reviews since the early 1900s.