bust up

To badly damage something, bring it to an end, or fail completely, especially in business.

• They busted up the table.
• Several small businesses busted up during the crisis.
• The angry crowd busted up the meeting.

How to use it: bust something up (They busted the chairs up during the fight.)

Similar words: wreck, ruin, break up

Common phrases: bust up something, bust up furniture, bust up businesses

To end a romantic relationship or make a couple separate.

• They busted up last year.
• She busted up with her boyfriend after another argument.
• Their constant fighting finally busted the marriage up.

How to use it: bust up with someone (He busted up with his girlfriend last month.); bust someone/something up (The argument busted their marriage up.)

Similar words: break up, split up, separate

Common phrases: bust up suddenly, bust up couples

To suddenly show strong feelings, especially by laughing loudly.

• Everyone busted up laughing.
• She busted up when she heard the joke.
• I tried to stay serious, but I busted up again.

How to use it: bust up laughing (We busted up laughing at his silly dance.)

Similar words: burst out laughing, crack up

Common phrases: bust up laughing, bust up suddenly

To shoot someone with a gun.

• He threatened to bust them up.
• The gunman busted his rival up outside the club.
• She feared the gang would bust her up if she talked.

How to use it: bust someone up (The gangster threatened to bust him up.)

Similar words: shoot, gun down

Common phrases: bust someone up, bust up someone

To spend a lot of money carelessly, especially on alcoholic drinks.

• He busted up all his wages.
• They busted up their money on drinks that night.
• She warned him not to bust up his pay at the pub.

How to use it: bust up money on something (He busted up his wages on beer.)

Similar words: squander, blow, waste

Opposites: save

Common phrases: bust up wages, bust up money