# bust

/ˈbəst/ (US) · /bˈʌst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bust
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. sculpture

noun · CEFR B2

a statue that shows only the head, neck, and shoulders of a person.

For teachers: a sculptural representation of the upper part of the human figure, including the head and neck and usually a portion of the shoulders and chest.

- The museum has a marble bust of a famous Roman emperor near the entrance.
- The gallery features several bronze busts of nineteenth-century poets, each capturing a distinct, somber expression.

### 2. anatomy

noun · CEFR B2

a woman's chest or the measurement around it.

For teachers: the chest of a human, specifically a woman's breasts or the measurement around them.

- She measured her bust to make sure the new dress would fit perfectly.
- The tailor noted the bust and waist measurements before beginning the alterations on the evening gown.

### 3. police arrest

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

an occasion when the police catch someone doing something illegal or raid a place.

For teachers: a police raid or the act of taking someone into custody for criminal activity.

- The police made a huge drug bust at the warehouse last night.
- Following a six-month undercover investigation, the authorities executed a coordinated bust that dismantled the regional smuggling ring.

### 4. economic crash

noun · CEFR B2

a period of time when an economy or business fails and people lose money.

For teachers: the downward phase of an economic cycle, characterized by a sudden decline in value or activity.

- After the housing boom ended, many investors lost everything in the bust.
- Economists warned that the rapid inflation in tech stocks would inevitably lead to a market bust.

### 5. a failure

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

something that is a complete failure or a big disappointment.

For teachers: a person or project that fails to meet expectations or proves to be unsuccessful.

- The new restaurant was a total bust and closed after only three months.
- Despite being a top draft pick, the player was eventually labeled a bust after failing to score a single goal all season.

### 6. to break

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to break something, especially so that it cannot be used anymore.

For teachers: to break, smash, or damage something so that it no longer functions.

- I think I bust my phone when I dropped it on the sidewalk.
- He managed to bust the lock on the old trunk after struggling with the rusted key for nearly an hour.

### 7. to catch someone

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to catch someone doing something they are not supposed to do.

For teachers: to catch someone in the act of committing a crime or a social indiscretion.

- The teacher bust him trying to look at his notes during the test.
- She was bust by her parents while trying to sneak out of the house through the bedroom window.

### 8. having no money

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

having no money left; bankrupt.

For teachers: lacking financial resources; completely broke or bankrupt.

- After paying all his bills this month, he is completely bust.
- The company went bust after the main investors withdrew their support during the financial crisis.

## Examples

- Many small companies closed during the recent economic bust.
- After years of rising house prices, the sudden market bust left many homeowners with debts larger than their property's value.
- Economists argue whether the current tech bust is a necessary correction or a sign of deeper systemic instability within the global venture capital ecosystem.

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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.