bust
bust
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bust" is /bʌst/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
bʌs
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/ʌ/ - open-mid back unrounded vowel
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: bust (a sculpture of the head and shoulders, a failure, a police raid)
Plural: busts (multiple sculptures, failures, or raids)
Verb:
Present tense: bust (to break, to arrest)
Past tense: busted (broke, arrested)
Past participle: busted (broken, arrested)
Present participle: busting (breaking, arresting)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A sculpture of a person's head and shoulders.
Synonyms: sculpture, statue, effigy
Antonyms: painting, drawing
Definition 2: A failure or disappointment.
Synonyms: flop, fiasco, debacle
Antonyms: success, triumph
Definition 3: A police raid.
Synonyms: raid, crackdown, swoop
Antonyms: retreat, withdrawal
Verb
Definition 1: To break something forcefully.
Synonyms: smash, shatter, crack
Antonyms: fix, repair, mend
Definition 2: To arrest someone.
Synonyms: arrest, apprehend, collar
Antonyms: release, free, acquit
Examples of Use
Noun (Sculpture)
Art and History Museums: Many museums display busts of historical figures. For example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has a collection of Roman busts.
Public Spaces: Busts of prominent figures can be found in public squares and government buildings. A famous example is the bust of Abraham Lincoln in the U.S. Capitol.
Noun (Failure)
Newspapers: "The new restaurant was a total bust." (The New York Times)
Online Reviews: "The movie was a bust, with a weak plot and poor acting." (Rotten Tomatoes)
Social Media: "My attempt at baking a cake was a complete bust." (Twitter)
Noun (Police Raid)
News Reports: "Police busted a drug ring in the city's downtown area." (CNN)
Crime Novels: "The detectives were planning a bust on the notorious gang." (A novel by James Patterson)
Verb (Break)
Everyday Speech: "I accidentally busted my phone screen."
Sports Commentary: "The pitcher busted the ball past the batter."
Verb (Arrest)
News Headlines: "Police bust suspected burglar." (The Washington Post)
TV Shows: "The cops busted the thief red-handed." (Law & Order)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Bust
"A 41-inch bust and a lot of perseverance will get you more than a cup of coffee - a lot more." - Mae West
"The British economy of the future must be built not on the shifting sands of boom and bust, but on the bedrock of prudent and wise economic management for the long term."1 - Gordon Brown
"The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust." - Mark Twain
"I don't play ball because I want attention. I do it because it gives me the opportunity to bust somebody's head. And I just love to do it. I love what I do." - Ty Cobb
"My countrymen have commissioned a bust of the Republic. It will be placed on the fountain of my native town." - Simón Bolívar
"Sometimes I bust out and do things so permanent. Like tattoos and marriage." - Amy Poehler
"There's that old journalism rule that sunshine is the great disinfectant - which is how reporters bust their way into meetings and such all the time." - Carl Bernstein
"In sports, I really think winning is the great disinfectant." - Bill Belichick
"The impression has built up that the stock market is the cause of booms and busts. Actually, it is the thermometer - not the fever." - Bernard Baruch
"The history of markets is one of overreaction in both directions." - Peter Bernstein
Etymology
The word "bust" has an interesting history. It comes from the Middle English word "bosten," which meant to "burst" or "break open." Over time, the pronunciation changed, and the meaning expanded.
The first known use of "bust" in the sense of a sculpture of a person's head and shoulders was in the 16th century. It likely comes from the idea of "busting" out of a block of stone.
The meaning of "bust" as a failure or disappointment is more recent, originating in the early 20th century. It probably comes from the idea of something "busting" or falling apart.
The use of "bust" to mean a police raid also emerged in the early 20th century. This usage likely comes from the idea of "busting" into a place to make an arrest.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Bust
Here are some common phrases and idioms using the word "bust":
Bust a gut: To laugh very hard.
Bust out laughing: To suddenly start laughing loudly.
Bust someone's chops: To tease or criticize someone playfully.
Bust up: To break up a fight or argument.
Go bust: To go bankrupt or fail financially.
While "bust" is a versatile word, it doesn't appear in many complex idioms. This is likely because its core meanings of breaking, failing, or arresting don't lend themselves to figurative language as readily as some other words. However, the phrases and idioms listed above are commonly used in everyday English.
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Source Information
Definition of bust from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
