хвататься за животы

• ХВАТАТЬСЯ (ДЕРЖАТЬСЯ) ЗА ЖИВОТЫ <ЗА ЖИВОТИКИ, ЗА ЖИВОТ, ЗА БОКА> coll

[VP; subj: human, usu. pi]

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⇒ to shake with laughter, laugh profusely:

- X-ы хватались за животы{{}}≈ Xs (nearly <almost>) split (burst) their sides laughing;

- Xs were in stitches;

- Xs roared with laughter;

- Xs held their sides.

     ♦ Зал взрывается от смеха. Люди хватаются за животы, визжат и стонут... (Распутин 1). The audience burst out laughing. People rocked and roared and held their sides... (1a).