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]

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Example Sentences

“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

Kosteniuk as White allows her queenside to be busted up and renounces castling in exchange for the bishop pair and a half-open b-file, but neither works to her advantage in the ensuring play.

From Washington Times • Jun. 20, 2023

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

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