a total bust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total bust" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a common idiomatic expression used to describe something that was unsuccessful or a failure. Example: The company's new product launch was a total bust, with sales far below expectations. In this sentence, "a total bust" conveys that the product launch was a complete failure in terms of achieving its sales goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The evening wasn't a total bust: onstage, Ms. Grae estimated the attendance at about 40 people.

The New York Times - Arts

Quarterback Tony Graziani was also in that class, and he has been a total bust.

The New York Times - Sports

Even Luke Hochevar, a total bust as a starter, has found a home in the pen, and so all these Royals need to compete are a few runs.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, the night wasn't a total bust: the doorman gave him a tip that Lady Gaga would be at a midtown club that weekend.

The New York Times

But the Patriots have so many picks year after year that it's nearly impossible for a draft to be a total bust.

The New York Times

Only one trip was a total bust: a $45 S.U.V. "safari" of Antigua, during which I and 11 other cruisers stared at dense but uniform foliage — broken only once by an inlet carpeted with water lilies stretching into the distance — until we reached the top of a hill overlooking English Harbour, where a fleet of fancy yachts were docked.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Total bust".

The Guardian - Sport

Girls, conceived, mostly written, and often directed by Lena Dunham, returns to HBO for its second season on Sunday, January 13, meaning the first month of the year won't be the usual total bust.

Huffington Post

Stubborn clouds that many feared would ruin the view parted — somewhat — in north Queensland, defying forecasts of a total eclipse-viewing bust and relieving spectators who had fanned out to glimpse the celestial phenomenon.

Independent

The incredibly invasive, rights-eroding program was a complete bust, a total waste of the resources of the New York City Police Department.

Huffington Post

A total of 4,720 British companies went bust in the second quarter of the year, equivalent to 80 every working day, according to consultants Experian.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a total bust" when you want to concisely convey that something was entirely unsuccessful or disappointing. It's suitable for describing events, plans, or even people's performances that did not meet expectations.

Common error

While "a total bust" is widely understood, it might be too informal for academic papers or formal business reports. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "a complete failure" or "an utter disaster."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total bust" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or object complement. It describes something that has completely failed or been unsuccessful. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Sports

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a total bust" is a common and generally accepted idiom used to describe something that has completely failed. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in written English and can be found across various sources like news articles, sports commentary, and general media. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it leans towards informal usage and may not be suitable for highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "a complete failure" or "an utter disaster" in professional settings. The most frequent contexts are news and media, followed by sports and general discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete failure

Emphasizes the lack of success, maintaining a similar level of formality.

a resounding flop

Highlights the dramatic nature of the failure, adding a more vivid tone.

an utter disaster

Stresses the negative and calamitous aspect of the failure.

a dismal failure

Focuses on the bleak and disappointing outcome.

a lost cause

Suggests that the effort was futile from the beginning, indicating hopelessness.

a futile attempt

Highlights the ineffectiveness of the effort, focusing on the lack of results.

a washout

Informal term indicating a complete failure, often used for events or plans.

a dead loss

Emphasizes the wasted resources or effort, suggesting nothing was gained.

a non-starter

Indicates that something never had a chance of succeeding, highlighting its unviability.

a fruitless endeavor

Highlights the lack of positive results despite effort, suggesting wasted time and resources.

FAQs

How can I use "a total bust" in a sentence?

You can use "a total bust" to describe something that completely failed to meet expectations. For example, "The new product launch was "a total bust", resulting in significant losses for the company."

What's a synonym for "a total bust"?

Synonyms for "a total bust" include phrases such as "a complete failure", "an utter disaster", or "a resounding flop".

Is it appropriate to use "a total bust" in formal writing?

While widely understood, "a total bust" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more professional alternatives such as "a complete failure" or "a significant setback".

What makes something "a total bust" rather than just a minor setback?

Something described as ""a total bust"" has failed entirely and completely, without achieving any of its intended goals. It implies a significant and irrecoverable failure, unlike a minor setback which may only cause a temporary delay or inconvenience.