# bust the dust

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bust-the-dust
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To clean dust off something, such as with a vacuum cleaner.

## Examples

- I need to bust the dust off these old books.
- Before the guests arrive, I should bust the dust off the shelves in the living room.
- She decided to bust the dust from the antique collection that had remained untouched in the attic for decades.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.