What is bust? Pronunciation and usage in English

bust means . Learn how to pronounce and use bust through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of bust

bustverb

/bʌst//bʌst/
Definition & pronunciation of bust

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "bust" in English. There are actually two main pronunciations, depending on its meaning and regional accent.

1. "Bust" as in "stop" or "fail" (verb - to stop):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈbʌst/ (Sounds like "bus-t")
  • Breakdown:
    • ˈbʌst: This is the key part. It rhymes with "bus."
    • The ‘b’ is pronounced clearly.
    • The ‘u’ is a short, uh sound (like in "cup").
    • The ‘st’ is pronounced as a single syllable.

2. "Bust" as in a body part (noun - chest):

  • Pronunciation: /bʌst/ (Sounds like "bus-t") - Exactly the same as above.
  • Breakdown: Same as above!

Regional Variations:

  • Southern US: In some Southern accents, "bust" (as in stop) can have a slightly more drawn-out “ah” sound in the first syllable – something like /ˈbɑːst/.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you an even more tailored explanation, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "bust"? (e.g., "He busted his knee," or "The company is busted?")

Usage and examples with the word bust in English

The word "bust" has several meanings in English, and the context is key to understanding which one is being used. Here's a breakdown of the most common meanings, with examples:

1. To Arrest (Most Common Usage)

  • Meaning: To arrest someone for a crime.
  • Example: "The police busted him for shoplifting."
  • Synonyms: Arrest, apprehend, take into custody.

2. To Fail (Generally)

  • Meaning: To fail spectacularly, often in a surprising or embarrassing way. It implies a sudden, dramatic failure.
  • Example 1 (Performance): "The singer's voice busted halfway through the song, and she had to stop."
  • Example 2 (Plan): "Their carefully planned surprise party busted when the wife found out."
  • Example 3 (System): "The computer system busted during the crucial deadline, delaying the project."
  • Synonyms: Fail, malfunction, break down, collapse.

3. To Break a Seal or Lock (Less Common)

  • Meaning: To force open something that's sealed or locked. This is a more dated usage.
  • Example: "He tried to bust the safe with a hammer."
  • Synonyms: Break in, force open.

4. (Slang - Sexually) – To Be Caught in a Sexual Act

  • Meaning: This is a very informal and often considered crude term for being caught having sex. Use with extreme caution.
  • Example: “They got busted having an affair.” (This is a very blunt and potentially hurtful way to phrase something). You would rarely hear this in formal contexts.
  • Synonyms: Got caught, caught red-handed.

5. (Slang - For a Band/Musician) – To be Discontinued or End a Tour

  • Meaning: In music, "bust" can refer to a band or artist stopping touring or releasing new music.
  • Example: “After a successful run, the band decided to bust.”

How to Choose the Right Meaning

  • Context is crucial: Pay very close attention to the surrounding words and the overall situation.
  • Consider the tone: The slang usage is very informal and should only be used in casual conversation with trusted friends.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you a more targeted explanation, could you tell me:

  • Where did you encounter the word "bust"? (e.g., in a book, conversation, news article?)
  • What was the context around the word? (e.g., was it talking about crime, a plan, or something else?)

Synonyms for the word bust

Idioms of the word bust

bust somebody's chops
(North American English, informal)to criticize somebody
  • Your blog is great but I have to bust your chops a little over this post.
bust a gut (doing something/to do something)
to make a great effort to do something
  • It’s a problem which nobody is going to bust a gut trying to solve.
  • I busted my chops to get into law school.
  • These guys were busting their butts on the field, trying to excel at athletics.
bust (out) some moves/a move
(informal)to dance
  • I'm the sort of guy who loves to bust out some moves at a party.
  • The actress was seen busting a move with her friends in a London nightclub.
… or bust
(informal)used to say that you will try very hard to get somewhere or achieve something
  • For him it's the Olympics or bust.

Practice with vocabulary bust

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Law enforcement agencies are working to ______ organized crime syndicates.
  2. The renowned artist unveiled a magnificent ______ of the city's founder.
  3. Despite numerous attempts, the team failed to ______ the world record.
  4. The unexpected ______ in market confidence affected many investors.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. If you continue to misuse the machinery, you're going to ______ it. a) damage b) mend c) bust d) repair

  2. The federal agents successfully managed to ______ the international drug trafficking network. a) establish b) dismantle c) bust d) facilitate

  3. The sudden economic ______ led to widespread business failures and job losses. a) expansion b) boom c) downturn d) bust

  4. Despite numerous warnings, the old bridge remained structurally ______, posing a risk to commuters. a) sturdy b) robust c) unsound d) dilapidated

  5. The new marketing campaign aims to ______ sales figures significantly in the next quarter. a) boost b) decrease c) elevate d) hinder

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The special unit conducted a successful raid on the counterfeit goods syndicate. Rewrite using "bust" or a related word form: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  2. Original: A beautifully carved statue showing only the head and chest of the ancient philosopher was unveiled. Rewrite using "bust" or a related word form: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  3. Original: The company experienced severe financial difficulties and eventually failed completely. Rewrite NOT using "bust" or a related word form: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. bust
  2. bust
  3. break
  4. downturn (or decline)

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) damage, c) bust
  2. b) dismantle, c) bust
  3. c) downturn, d) bust
  4. c) unsound, d) dilapidated
  5. a) boost, c) elevate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The special unit successfully busted the counterfeit goods syndicate.
  2. A beautifully carved bust of the ancient philosopher was unveiled.
  3. The company experienced severe financial difficulties and eventually collapsed.

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