busted

[buhs-tid]

adjective

1. broken, fractured, or seriously damaged.

   a busted leg.

2. no longer working or operating.

   a busted radio.

3. penniless or bankrupt; broke.

   busted businesses that can’t pay their bills.

4. failed.

   I never talk about my busted marriages.

5. in trouble; caught doing something bad or wrong.

   I know that’s a lie—you are so busted!

busted

/ ˈbʌstəd /

adjective

1. informal,  caught out doing something wrong and therefore in trouble

   you are so busted

Word History and Origins

Origin of busted¹

First recorded in 1835–40; bust ² ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

“As a defense, if 10 guys do one thing but one person does the wrong thing, it’s a busted play. We can’t afford that. So we’re just trying to get everybody on the same page.”

From Los Angeles Times

In their statement about the incoming CEO, the alliance called Walters a “conservative warrior in the fight for America’s future, restoring freedom, defending families, and proving that unions can be busted.”

From Salon

The leader of Caerphilly council has dramatically resigned from the Labour Party, calling it a "busted flush".

From BBC

The special teams failed to put enough players on the field, leading to a busted punt coverage.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles police said they busted a massive cargo theft operation being run by a business with storefronts in Montebello and Huntington Park.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• collapsed www.thesaurus.com
• cracked 
• crumbled www.thesaurus.com
• crushed www.thesaurus.com
• damaged www.thesaurus.com
• defective 
• demolished www.thesaurus.com
• destroyed www.thesaurus.com
• fractured www.thesaurus.com
• fragmented 
• injured www.thesaurus.com
• mangled www.thesaurus.com
• mutilated www.thesaurus.com
• ruptured www.thesaurus.com
• severed 
• shattered 
• smashed 
• splintered www.thesaurus.com