bust
noun
Definitions of bust noun
body
- Countable
A woman's chest, or the measurement around a woman's chest and back.
I couldn't find any blouses that fit my chest measurement.
This dress is a bit too tight across the bust.
She's taking her measurements to determine her bust size.
art
- Countable
A sculpture depicting the head and shoulders of a person.
The museum displayed many busts of historical figures.
The artist is creating a bust of a famous poet.
The bust is renowned for its realistic details.
law
- Countableslang
An act of the police arresting people suspected of having committed crimes.
Police arrested several suspects during a drug bust.
Many officials were arrested due to the large-scale corruption bust.
Police conducted a bust to shut down illegal gambling activities in the area.
verb
Definitions of bust verb
damage
- Transitiveinformal
To damage or break something.
I accidentally busted his phone.
They accidentally busted the toy while playing.
I need to be careful not to bust my new tablet.
law
- Transitiveslang
To arrest a person, or to enter a building or place to arrest people suspected of breaking the law.
The police busted several men for drug trafficking.
They busted the building and arrested all the illegal occupants.
The police busted the club after receiving intelligence about illegal activities.
adjective
Definitions of bust adjective
condition
- informal
Something that is broken.
My car is bust; I need to get it fixed.
This machine is bust and unusable.
I think my old radio is bust.
Phrases of bust adjective
- go bust
When a company goes bust, it is forced to close because it is financially unsuccessful.
• The small business went bust after being unable to pay its debts.
Idioms
- bust a gut
To exert oneself to an extreme degree, often involving a considerable amount of effort, in order to accomplish a goal.
• He really busted a gut to get the project finished by the deadline.
- bust out/up laughing
To suddenly and uncontrollably begin to laugh.
• She busted out laughing after hearing the joke.
Phrasal Verbs of bust
- bust up
When a relationship ends, often due to a serious argument, it is said to bust up, or that people involved in it bust up.
• After they had a heated argument over a trivial issue, their relationship ultimately bust up.
- bust something up
to cause harm to something and bring it to a conclusion
• Their plans were busted up by a sudden storm.