buggered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "buggered" is correct and usable in written English, though it is considered informal and can be vulgar in some contexts.
It can be used to express that something has gone wrong or that someone is in a difficult situation, often in a colloquial or humorous manner. Example: "After the power outage, my computer was completely buggered, and I lost all my work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"When I opened, this was a dark, dingy street with no lighting and buggered pavements," says Andrew O'Dwyer, who owns a bar and nightclub in a now-buzzing area.

The Economist

Even that could be optimistic: in the European election in 2009 it won 16.5% of votes, but in the words of one UKIP source "buggered off to the pub" afterwards and slumped to 3.1% in the 2010 general election.

The Economist

In a story he told, often and in several variants, Bacon's fox-hunting father had had his 14-year-old son horsewhipped when he was caught being buggered by a stable-boy.

Independent

And I believe that a grown man who allows himself to be buggered is as much of a criminal pervert as one who performs cunnilingus.

Independent

"But they've already buggered me and got what they wanted: publicity".

Independent

No wonder Sam Burgess buggered off back to Australia, his head aching with the gravity of it all.

Independent

A girl once asked her mum, 'Can I have a Cadbury's Creme Egg?' The mum said, 'No, you can't Danielle, I've already told you, darling – bird flu!'" – Tom Deacon "I once buggered a man unconscious.

Independent

Many of the adult victims spoke from behind screens, detailing incidents from when they were as young as eight, of being forced to perform oral sex with Beck or of being buggered or raped by him.

Independent

But the prosecution asked questions such as, 'Were you aware that children were being dragged to King's house and buggered within an inch of their lives?' I wasn't able to stand up and say, 'No.

Independent

Skidelsky, in his account of this phase of Keynes's life, may not discount sufficiently for Bloomsbury hyperbole in sexual matters: when the gossip was that Keynes had "buggered" someone at a party, it generally meant that an embrace or a kiss was attempted.

The New Yorker

Only male homosexuality is excluded — except for one crude cartoon joke in which an artist, as he grasps the hand of a naked woman labelled "Glory," is buggered by a critic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using the word "buggered", as it can be considered vulgar in some contexts. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "broken" or "exhausted" in formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "buggered" in professional documents or formal communications. It's best suited for informal conversations or creative writing where a more coarse tone is acceptable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "buggered" varies. It acts as an adjective when describing a state of being broken or exhausted, as in "The car is buggered". It functions as the past tense or past participle of the verb "bugger", indicating an action. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "buggered" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, primarily used to describe something that is broken, someone who is exhausted, or a situation that is in disarray. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it carries an informal and potentially vulgar connotation, making it unsuitable for formal settings. Its prevalence in News & Media, as seen in Ludwig's examples, highlights its common usage in certain contexts. When in doubt, consider more neutral alternatives like ""broken"" or ""exhausted"" to avoid unintended offense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broken

Replaces "buggered" with a more neutral term for something not functioning.

screwed

An informal synonym for "buggered", indicating a problematic or unfortunate situation.

ruined

Similar to "buggered" when describing something that is damaged beyond repair.

exhausted

Substitutes "buggered" when referring to a state of extreme tiredness.

kaput

Offers a more informal synonym for something that is broken or not working.

messed up

A more general term to describe a situation or object that is in a bad state.

in trouble

Replaces "buggered" when indicating someone is in a difficult situation.

finished

Indicates that something is completely used or destroyed, similar to one sense of "buggered".

done for

Similar to "buggered" when expressing a sense of being in a hopeless situation.

out of order

Provides a polite way to say something is not functioning correctly, replacing "buggered".

FAQs

How can I use "buggered" in a sentence?

You can use "buggered" to describe something that is broken, someone who is exhausted, or a situation that is ruined. For example, "My phone is completely buggered after I dropped it" or "I'm buggered after running that marathon".

What can I say instead of "buggered"?

You can use alternatives like "broken", "exhausted", "ruined", or "messed up" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "buggered" in formal writing?

No, "buggered" is generally considered informal and can be seen as vulgar. It's best to use more neutral alternatives in formal writing.

What's the difference between "buggered" and "broken"?

"Buggered" and "broken" can both describe something not functioning, but "buggered" carries a stronger, more vulgar connotation. "Broken" is a more neutral and widely acceptable term.