bust a gut/ass

Question

Could you please explain this idiom? I thought it means "to try hard to do something", but in Google Images, I hardly find anything in that meaning.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

This dictionary has many idiomatic expressions: http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/bust+***

You know that this one is rude and should not be used in polite society.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

here's how I have heard these.

I bust a gut / bust my *** to finish the report on time . I tried very hard.

It was such a funny joke that I bust a gut (laughing). I laughed a lot.

Both are very informal.
References to your *** are often seen as impolite.

Clive

USF · Answer

Thank you both.

Yes, I knew that it is very informal. But I haven't found anything on Google, as much as I expected such things!, but I found diet related topics for "bust a gut" and somehow sexual content about "bust an ***". I think in those places they literally meanbust an *** or a gut, not an idiom.

Enoon · Answer

It's not "busting an ***", it's "busting your/my/his/etc. ***".

USF · Answer

OH! Thanks enoon. I got it. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' alt='Emotion: big smile'/>

USF · Answer

I guess bust in both idioms mean ripping, right? In that case bust his *** is understandable

. But ripping a gut, it doesn't make sense for me as in trying hard.

Enoon · Answer

youzouI guess bust in both idioms mean ripping, right? In that case bust his *** is understandable . But ripping a gut, it doesn't make sense for me as in trying hard.

I'd say the two are different, but neither means "ripping". The gut explodes, and the *** simply breaks.

You can "bust a blood vessel" by getting too angry. That "bust" is a colloquialism for "burst".

The "***" thing is just a vulgar corruption of the expression "to break one's back", and the "bust" (break) in that is somewhat misapplied, which only adds to its value as offensive slang. It is not only crude and rude, it is bad English. If you never, ever say that, you and your friends will be the happier for it.

USF · Answer

Thanks, enoon. Very good explanation. Thanks for your time. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

AlpheccaStars · Answer

youzousomehow sexual content about "bust your ***"

No sexual allusion. It just means to work with all your effort on a project.

USF · Answer

Thanks <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/><br/><a class='_ac _lb' lightbox='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/1568314.0_f1.jpg '><img class='_ac _di img-fluid' style='width:598px; height:inherit; background: inherit;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/1568314.0_f1.jpg' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/1568314.0_f1.jpg' /></a>

bust a gut/ass

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions