a massive bust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive bust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing significant failures, losses, or in reference to physical attributes in a descriptive manner. Example: "The project turned out to be a massive bust, failing to meet any of its objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

On a table there is a massive bust of the actor Kirk Douglas.

The New York Times

Later, among engine parts and ironwork, I came across a massive bust of Hitler, sitting on the floor next to a condom vending machine ("I collect pub memorabilia, too," Wheatcroft explained).

The Guardian

The exhibition serves as a new complement to two well-known Russian museums: The Central Museum of the Armed Forces (still proudly Soviet with a massive bust of Lenin filling the eye at the entrance hall) and the shopworn Military-Historical Museum of ArTroopsy, Engineering Troops and Communications Troops in St . Petersburg

The New York Times - Travel

The new report on the state of the species finds that within a 10-year period (2003-2013), 80,000 pig-nosed turtles were confiscated in some 30 seizures, including a massive bust of 8,368 turtles in an array of suitcases in Papua and Jakarta, Indonesia, last January.

The Guardian

He will be paid handsomely for his troubles, but if he fails he will be labeled a massive bust.

TechCrunch

German and Israeli police made dramatic swoops last month, raiding dozens of premises and arresting six people in Germany and 18 in Israel as part of a massive bust on a suspected art forgery ring.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

David Cameron declared yesterday that he would not allow his premiership to be dominated by a "massive bust-up" with the European Union as he shelved any Europe referendum for at least five years.

Independent

I guess the basic response should be "Well, duh" — that's what happens when you have a massive housing bust and a severe economic slump.

The New York Times

Here's What Happens After a Massive Cocaine Bust.

Vice

The phone store employee was actually an undercover FBI agent, and Brown was caught up in a massive drug bust.

Huffington Post

Several of the alleged mafia and gang leaders arrested last month as part of a massive police bust are housed at the penitentiary.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "a massive bust" with more specific terms like "seizure" or "raid" when describing law enforcement actions for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "a massive bust" in overly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language may be more appropriate. Opt for terms like "significant failure" or "major setback" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive bust" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes something that is either a significant failure or a large-scale operation, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a massive bust" is a noun phrase that denotes a significant failure or a large-scale law enforcement operation. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and is most frequently used in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "significant failure" or "major setback" in academic or professional writing. Alternatives also include "huge failure", "major disaster", or "complete washout" when describing failures. The authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Vice and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a huge failure

Replaces 'massive' with 'huge', emphasizing the scale of the failure.

a significant flop

Uses 'flop' to describe the failure, suggesting a disappointing outcome.

a major disaster

Indicates a calamitous event or outcome, highlighting the severity.

a large seizure

Specifically refers to the confiscation context, replacing 'bust' with 'seizure'.

an extensive raid

Focuses on the law enforcement aspect, replacing 'bust' with 'raid'.

a complete washout

Suggests a total failure, often used in the context of events or plans.

a colossal setback

Emphasizes the hindering aspect of the failure, using 'setback'.

a monumental letdown

Highlights the disappointment caused by the failure, using 'letdown'.

a crushing defeat

Implies a loss that causes significant discouragement, using 'defeat'.

a resounding failure

Uses 'resounding' to emphasize the clear and obvious nature of the failure.

FAQs

What does "a massive bust" mean?

The phrase "a massive bust" generally refers to a significant failure, setback, or a large-scale law enforcement raid or seizure. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it is used.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a massive bust"?

It's suitable for describing substantial failures, large-scale law enforcement operations, or significant seizures. However, avoid using it in formal or academic writing where more precise language is required. Use "huge failure" in these cases.

What can I say instead of "a massive bust" when referring to a failure?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "significant flop", "major disaster", or "complete washout". For law enforcement contexts, consider "extensive raid" or "large seizure".

Is "a massive bust" considered formal or informal language?

The phrase is generally considered informal to neutral. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Therefore, it may not be appropriate for formal academic or professional writing. "Significant setback" may be a better choice for formal contexts.