# bust on

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bust-on
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to tease someone or make jokes about them in a playful way.

For teachers: To mock or tease someone, often persistently; the verb is transitive and inseparable, typically appearing in informal American contexts.

## Examples

- My friends always bust on me for my terrible singing.
- Stop busting on him about his new haircut; he's already feeling a bit self-conscious.
- While the veterans would frequently bust on the rookies during training, it was generally understood as a form of bonding rather than genuine malice.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They were busting on to me." but "They were busting on me." — The object follows 'on' directly without an additional preposition like 'to'.

## Usage notes

- This is a very casual expression used mostly among friends in the United States.
- Teaching tip: Compare this with 'pick on', which is often meaner, whereas 'bust on' is usually just playful teasing among friends.

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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.