bust up

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Definition

Phrasal Verb: - To break something into pieces violently; to smash or shatter. - (Informal) To cause a severe disruption or end to something, especially a relationship or gathering.

Usage

This phrasal verb is informal and transitive, requiring a direct object (e.g., bust up something). It describes forceful, often destructive, action.

Examples
  • Literal Meaning (to break):
    • The vandals busted up the park benches.
    • He accidentally busted up his old guitar during the move.
  • Figurative Meaning (to disrupt or end):
    • Their constant arguing finally busted up their marriage.
    • The police arrived to bust up the street fight.
Advanced Usage
  • "to bust up a place": To cause significant damage or chaos in a location.
    • The rowdy fans busted up the bar after the game.
  • "to bust someone up": (Slang) To beat someone up physically.
    • The mob threatened to bust him up if he didn't pay.
Variants and Related Words
  • Bust-up (noun, informal): A serious quarrel or fight that ends a relationship.
    • They had a big bust-up and aren't speaking anymore.
  • Bust (verb): To break. Often used similarly but without "up" for a more general sense of breaking.
    • I busted my phone screen.
Synonyms
  • Smash: To break violently into pieces.
  • Shatter: To break suddenly into many small pieces.
  • Break up: To separate into parts; to end a relationship.
  • Disrupt: To interrupt and stop an event from continuing.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Break up: The more standard, less informal equivalent for ending a relationship or causing separation.
    • They decided to break up. (Compare to: They had a fight that busted them up.)
  • Smash up: Very similar in meaning to "bust up," emphasizing destructive breaking.
    • Protesters smashed up the storefront.
Idioms
  • Bust up laughing: (Informal) To suddenly start laughing very hard.
    • The joke was so funny, the whole room busted up laughing.
    • (Note: This idiom uses "bust up" intransitively, which is an exception to the standard transitive use.)
Verb
  1. smash or break forcefully
    • The kid busted up the car

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