/gang"bus'teuhr/ , n. Informal.
1. a law-enforcement officer who specializes in breaking up organized crime, often by forceful or sensational means.
2. someone or something having great impact, usually in a positive way.
3. gangbusters , an outstandingly successful state or situation: We aren't looking for gangbusters, but we'd like you to pass all your subjects this semester.
4. like gangbusters , with great speed, intensity, vigor, impact, or success: The software market was growing like gangbusters. The hockey team came on at the beginning of the season like gangbusters.
adj. Often, gangbusters .
5. of or like a law-enforcement officer who uses rough, aggressive, or sensational tactics in fighting crime: The undercover agents avoided the gangbusters approach.
6. strikingly effective or successful: a gangbusters year for compact cars.
7. enthusiastic: I'm not gangbusters over the idea.
adv.
8. go gangbusters , to be extremely successful: The movie went gangbusters.
[ 1935-40; GANG 1 + BUSTER ]