bust out

USAGE SUMMARY

"bust out" is correct and usable in written English.
It's an informal phrase meaning "to suddenly leave a place or situation." For example, "We were having a great party until someone busted out in the middle of the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You bust out?

The New York Times

They look at each other and bust out laughing.

The New Yorker

"Tears just bust out from my eyes," Mr. Hall said.

The New York Times

And it's ready to bust out all over.

The Guardian - Sport

It was one of trying not to bust out laughing.

The New York Times

"One of these days, we're going to bust out".

The New York Times - Sports

(4:58) certainly wasn't expecting them to bust out the electric guitar here.

Stanford University

"When they bust out revenues above expectations, all the sins are forgiven".

The New York Times - Tech

I not only wanted to "bust out" of my present role – I needed to!

The New York Times

I can't even bust out a Bebo joke.

TechCrunch

I bust out laughing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bust out" to add a casual and energetic tone when describing the sudden appearance or use of something, or to convey a sense of escaping confinement.

Common error

While "bust out" is versatile, it's best to avoid using it in formal or professional writing where a more sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Opt for alternatives like "initiate", "reveal", or "commence" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bust out" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "bust" with the particle "out" to create a new meaning, such as to escape, reveal, or suddenly start doing something. Ludwig provides examples showing its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

32%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bust out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to convey actions like escaping, revealing, or suddenly commencing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and academic contexts. While grammatically sound, its informal register makes it less suitable for formal writing. Consider alternatives such as "reveal", "initiate", or "unleash" in professional settings. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's dynamic usage and broad applicability in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break free

Emphasizes liberation or escape from confinement, either physical or metaphorical, focusing on the act of becoming unbound.

break out

Similar to "bust out" but can also mean to suddenly erupt or commence, like a rash or a war, providing a broader range of application.

bring forth

Highlights the act of producing or revealing something, often with a sense of effort or formality, differing from the more casual tone of "bust out".

unleash

Suggests releasing something powerful or uncontrolled, shifting the focus to the intensity of what is being revealed or started.

reveal

A more formal and neutral term for making something known, lacking the energetic or sudden connotation of "bust out".

start up

Indicates initiating or beginning something, often a machine or a project, which differs from the broader applications of "bust out".

initiate

A formal term for beginning or setting something in motion, lacking the informal, energetic feel of "bust out".

commence

A more formal way to say 'begin', which doesn't capture the sudden or unexpected nature of "bust out".

emerge

Suggests something coming into view or becoming known gradually, rather than the abruptness implied by "bust out".

make public

Focuses on the act of disclosing information to others, a meaning that only partially overlaps with the diverse usages of "bust out".

FAQs

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

You can use "bust out" to describe suddenly using something, like "Let's bust out the good china for the guests". It can also mean to escape, as in "They planned to bust out of prison".

What are some alternatives to "bust out"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "break free", "bring forth", or "reveal".

Is "bust out" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "bust out" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more professional alternatives like "initiate" or "commence".

What does "bust out" mean when referring to laughter?

When referring to laughter, "bust out" means to suddenly start laughing, often uncontrollably. For example: "They look at each other and "bust out laughing"".