split a gut

present singular third person splits a gut · participle present splitting a gut

1. alternativeAlternative form of bust a gut (any sense)

   Even if Truman splits his gut, he won't get a majority of electoral votes.

   1960, Alexander Fedoroff, The Side of the Angels, page 329

   3 more examples

   “I like to split a gut laughing the first time I saw a bride in a miniskirt,” Mrs. Fenniman cackled.

   2006, Donna Andrews, Murder With Peacocks

   "...Daddy looks so happy, look at him with that golf club,“ she points to a picture of Matthew the senior showing John how to hold it, both of them about to split a gut.

   2012, Gwendolyn Hoff, The Life and Times of a Black Southern Doctor, page 222

   Disgustingly vulgar trash to her; trash that her half-brother and others in hilarious laughter split a gut over.

   2014, J L Daniels, Mirror Opposites, page 24

2. To lose one's temper.

   The customer would split a gut and threaten to haul us into court.

   1966, Louis-Ferdinand C'Line, Louis Ferdinand Destouches, Ralph Manheim, Death on the Installment Plan, page 131

   2 more examples

   Don't split a gut over them and create a super frustration such as a fight or series of fights that may lead to a divorce.

   1974, Paul A. Hauck, Overcoming Frustration and Anger, page 32

   The thing is Personal didn't know about Tohilda's membership in the society and would probably split a gut if he found out she gave a portion of his profits to help the less fortunate.

   2009, Joyce Magnin, The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow