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Laughing uncontrollably, as in Joke after joke had me in stitches. Although the precise idiom dates only from about 1930, Shakespeare had a similar expression in Twelfth Night (3:2): "If you desire the spleen, and will laugh yourselves into stitches, follow me." Stitches here refers to the sharp local pain (known as a stitch in the side) that can make one double over, much as a fit of laughter can. in stock Available for sale or use, on hand, as in We have several dozen tires in stock. The antonym, out of stock, means "not available for sale," usually only temporarily. For example, This item is out of stock now, but we expect a new order next week. [Early 1600s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): in stitches
Fig. laughing very hard. • Charlie had us in stitches with all his jokes. • The movie sure was funny. I was in stitches!
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs