Bust
/bʌst/
Definitions
4 meaningsA sculpted representation of a person's head and shoulders.
/bʌst/
A sculpture of a person's head and shoulders.
There was a marble bust of Queen Elizabeth in the hall.
💡 Simply: A statue of a person's head and shoulders.
More Examples
The artist meticulously crafted a bust of the famous writer.
How It's Used
"The museum displayed a magnificent bust of Roman Emperor."
A raid, typically by police, to seize illegal goods or arrest criminals.
/bʌst/
A sudden raid or operation.
The drug bust resulted in several arrests.
💡 Simply: A police raid.
More Examples
The police bust led to the confiscation of a large amount of illegal weapons.
How It's Used
"The police conducted a bust on a suspected drug operation."
To break or damage something.
/bʌst/
To break something.
He busted his knee playing basketball.
💡 Simply: To break something.
More Examples
The window busted when the ball hit it.
How It's Used
"I accidentally busted the vase."
To arrest someone.
/bʌst/
The police busted him for stealing.
💡 Simply: To arrest someone.
More Examples
They were busted for possession of illegal drugs.
How It's Used
"The police busted him for speeding."
Idioms & expressions
bust a gut
To laugh very hard.
"I busted a gut laughing at his joke."
From Middle English *busten*, from Old French *bouter*, meaning "to push, thrust". The meaning has evolved over time, encompassing breaking and arresting.
The word's use in relation to law enforcement gained prominence in the 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of a 'bust' as a 'busted' sculpture, only the head and shoulders remain.