be busted

Idioms  

1. Also, go bust . Become bankrupt, financially ruined. For example, Who knew that the brokerage firm would be busted ? [ Slang ; early 1800s] Also see under go broke .

2. Also, get busted . Be demoted, as in If you're caught gambling you'll get busted to private . This usage originated in the military and still most often denotes a reduction in rank. [c. 1800]

3. Also, get busted . Be arrested or turned over to the police, as in The gang members were sure they'd get busted . [Mid-1900s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

be busted

“It’s important that Mathews underestimate him. And to do that, I wanted him to be busted, like, ‘Is this guy going to make it through the afternoon, let alone solve the case?’”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 7, 2025

Every book of mine is a list of topics I haven’t seen addressed, taboos that need to be busted, secrets that need to be told, things that I want to boggle at.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 24, 2018

Cano is the most prominent player to be busted since Melky Cabrera was suspended in 2012 while leading the National League in hitting.

From Washington Times ● May 16, 2018

But at some point, the bronco has to be busted.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 8, 2017

“Not, I grant you, but what his manners is given to blusterous,” said Joe, apologetically; “still, a Englishman’s ouse is his Castle, and castles must not be busted ’cept when done in war time.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens