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

A phone exchange between the two plotters and others, stated: "Oh dear. Voldemort is never going to be busted by the immigration service now."

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2024

It’s unlikely the years-long drought will be busted, but a deeper dent in the deficit is at the very least probable.

From Washington Post • Jan. 6, 2023

This “artist” works the five-star circuit in South America, and has yet to be busted.

From The Guardian • Mar. 23, 2020

“He’d come in, and the machine would be busted on a Sunday morning,” recalled Livingood, “and he’d say, ‘Well, I’m going out to play tennis, and you people have to fix it.’

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik