Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small insect: A general, informal term for any small insect or similar crawling invertebrate.
   • A technical fault: A defect or error in a computer program, system, or machine.
   • A hidden listening device: A small, concealed microphone used for secretly listening to conversations.
   • A germ or microorganism: (Informal, non-technical) A minute life form, especially one thought to cause illness.

2. Verb:

   • To conceal a listening device: To install hidden microphones in a place to secretly record conversations.
   • To annoy or bother: To irritate or pester someone persistently.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • There's a bug on your window. (Referring to a small insect.)
  • The software update fixed a major bug. (Referring to a programming error.)
  • They found a bug in the ambassador's office. (Referring to a hidden microphone.)
  • I think I caught a bug; I feel terrible. (Referring to an illness-causing germ.)

• Verb:

  • The room was bugged by intelligence agents. (Referring to installing listening devices.)
  • Stop bugging me about my homework! (Referring to annoying someone.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have/get the bug": To develop a strong enthusiasm or obsession for something.
  • After her first hike, she really got the travel bug.
• "to put a bug in someone's ear": To give someone a hint or suggestion about something.
  • I'll put a bug in the manager's ear about your idea.

Variants and Related Words

• Buggy (adj): Full of bugs (insects); or (in computing) malfunctioning, full of errors.
  • The picnic was nice, but the area was a bit buggy.
  • The new app is still buggy and crashes often.
• Debug (verb): To find and remove errors from a computer program.
  • The programmer spent all night debugging the code.

Synonyms

• Noun (insect): Insect, creepy-crawly (informal).
• Noun (error): Glitch, flaw, defect.
• Noun (listening device): Wiretap, listening device.
• Verb (annoy): Pester, bother, annoy, irritate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bug off (slang, imperative): Go away; stop bothering someone.
  • He told the salesman to bug off.
• Bug out (slang): To leave quickly; to depart in haste. (Also, for eyes: to bulge out.)
  • When the alarm sounded, we had to bug out.

Related Idioms

• Snug as a bug in a rug: Very cozy and comfortable.
  • With a hot drink and a warm blanket, I was snug as a bug in a rug.
• The bug has bitten (someone): Someone has become very enthusiastic about a new activity or interest.
  • Ever since he tried surfing, the bug has really bitten him.

Noun

1. a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use
2. insects with sucking mouthparts and forewings thickened and leathery at the base; usually show incomplete metamorphosis
3. a small hidden microphone; for listening secretly
4. a fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine
5. general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate

Verb

1. tap a telephone or telegraph wire to get information
   • The FBI was tapping the phone line of the suspected spy
   • Is this hotel room bugged?
2. annoy persistently
   • The children teased the boy because of his stammer