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Phrase(s): bust something up
1. Inf. to break or ruin something; to break something into smaller pieces. (Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning ‘break’ here.) • Who busted this plate up? • Don’t bust up the plates! Be careful! 2. Sl. to ruin a marriage by coming between the married people. (See also bust someone up. Bust is a nonstandard form of burstmeaning ‘break’ here.) • He busted their marriage up by starting rumors about Maggie. • He busted up their marriage., Phrase(s): bust someone up
1. Sl. to cause lovers to separate; to break up a pair of lovers, including married persons. (See also bust something up. Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning ‘break (apart)’ here.) • Mary busted Terri and John up. • Mary busted up Terri and John. 2. Sl. to beat someone up; to batter someone. (Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning ‘hit’ here.) • You want me to bust you up? • Max busted up Lefty pretty badly., Phrase(s): bust up
1. Sl. [for lovers] to separate or break up. (Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning ‘break’ here.) • Tom and Alice busted up for good. • They busted up last week. 2. Sl. [for something] to break up due to natural causes. (Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning ‘break (apart)’ here.) • The rocket busted up in midair. • I saw it bust up.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs