like gangbusters

Idioms  

1. Energetically, forcefully, loudly. For example, This is a soft passage—the horns shouldn't come in like gangbusters. This expression alludes to a popular radio series entitled Gangbusters, which featured explosive sound effects, such as gunfire and sirens, at the beginning of each episode. [Slang; late 1930s]

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Example Sentences

This final-act martyrdom not only worked like gangbusters dramatically but also forced the Boomers in the audience to uncomfortably confront their own values and mortality.

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2022

But wasn’t enough to fend off Lame’s international appeal, which has grown like gangbusters in the last year.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2022

Meanwhile, Exxon has spurned deals in other offshore zones in Brazil that are producing like gangbusters.

From Reuters • Feb. 14, 2022

“The first day we were open, people were in there like gangbusters, much more than usual,” Clark said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 10, 2021

So far, it’s worked like gangbusters, as Richard would say.

From "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead