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What is a group or person called who "brings the house down" or "can bring the house down"?

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The Oxford English Dictionary’s definition is ‘to evoke such demonstrative applause as threatens or suggests the downfall of the building.’

I have always supposed it to be derived from the music hall, where a particularly good act might, with a little exaggeration, bring about such an event. It may now be found in wider contexts.

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    As for the person, in that meaning, that would be the Star.
    – SF.
    Nov 5, 2012 at 9:39
  • In regard to your "wider contexts" remark, I believe this phrase can also refer to a comedian who gives an especially funny performance; i.e.: He brought the house down with laughter.
    – J.R.
    Nov 5, 2012 at 9:42
  • @J.R. Yes, that's what I meant.
    – Barrie England
    Nov 5, 2012 at 10:12
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If you mean the company, contractor or person that demolishes your old house or building, then use demolisher or demolition guy(s), demolition contractor, etc.

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    Very unlikely that a question tagged "idiom" was looking for a literal meaning of the phrase
    – mplungjan
    Nov 5, 2012 at 13:00

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