2bust verb
busts; bust·ed also British bust; bust·ing [+ obj] informal 1 : to break (something): such as a : to cause (something) to stop working by damaging it
▪ He busted his watch when he fell. ▪ I think the camera is busted.
b : to cause (something) to separate into parts or pieces
▪ bust a window 2 a : to arrest (someone)
▪ Police busted 12 gang members on weapons charges. ▪ She got/was busted for drug possession.
b : to catch (someone) doing something wrong
▪ Two students got busted by the teacher for smoking in the bathroom. 3 US, impolite — used in phrases like bust your butt/ass to describe working very hard ▪ She's been busting her butt to finish the project on time. 4 US : to hit or punch (someone)
▪ I felt like busting him in the nose.
▪ He busted his watch when he fell. ▪ I think the camera is busted.
b : to cause (something) to separate into parts or pieces
▪ bust a window
▪ Police busted 12 gang members on weapons charges. ▪ She got/was busted for drug possession.
b : to catch (someone) doing something wrong
▪ Two students got busted by the teacher for smoking in the bathroom.
▪ I felt like busting him in the nose.
bust a/your gut — see 1gut
bust out
[phrasal verb] informal 1 bust out (doing something) : to begin (doing something) suddenly : to burst out (doing something)
▪ She just busted out laughing. 2 bust out (something) or bust (something) out : to take (something) from the place where it is stored so that it can be used
▪ He busted out [=broke out] the champagne. 3 : to escape from a prison, jail, etc.
▪ Two prisoners busted out of jail.
▪ She just busted out laughing.
▪ He busted out [=broke out] the champagne.
▪ Two prisoners busted out of jail.
bust up
[phrasal verb] informal 1 : to end your relationship with someone
▪ Their marriage busted up after three years. ▪ Didn't you hear? They busted up. [=(more commonly) broke up, separated] 2 bust up (something) or bust (something) up : to cause (something) to end
▪ His gambling problem busted up their marriage. ▪ Police hope to bust up the crime ring for good. ▪ The police busted the party up.
▪ Their marriage busted up after three years. ▪ Didn't you hear? They busted up. [=(more commonly) broke up, separated]
▪ His gambling problem busted up their marriage. ▪ Police hope to bust up the crime ring for good. ▪ The police busted the party up.
or bust
informal — used to say that you will do everything possible to get somewhere ▪ The sign on the car said “New Orleans or bust!”
