n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: bust · ed also bust ; bust · ing
Etymology: alteration of burst
Date: 1806
transitive verb
1 a : to break or smash especially with force also : to make inoperative < bust ed my watch> b : to bring an end to : BREAK UP <helped bust trusts ― Newsweek > ― often used with up <better not try to bust up his happy marriage ― Forbes > c : to ruin financially d : EXHAUST , WEAR OUT ― used in phrases like bust one's butt to describe making a strenuous effort e : to give a hard time to ― often used in phrases like bust one's chops
2 : TAME <bronco bust ing >
3 : DEMOTE
4 slang a : ARREST < bust ed for carrying guns ― Saul Gottlieb> b : RAID < bust ed the apartment>
5 : HIT , SLUG
intransitive verb
1 : to go broke
2 a : BURST <laughing fit to bust > b : BREAK DOWN
3 a : to lose at cards by exceeding a limit (as the count of 21 in blackjack) b : to fail to complete a straight or flush in poker