bust up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bust up" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally means to break something into pieces, or to separate from a relationship, but it can also be used to mean to disrupt or destroy something. Example sentence: It was heartbreaking to see the couple bust up after only a few months together.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

General Conversation

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"There's a misperception out there that we bust up companies.

The New York Times

"She was going to bust up the ad world".

The New York Times

NOVEMBER has become the season for the great annual bluefin-tuna bust up.

The Economist

Their chant: "Bust up Bank of America before it busts up America".

The New York Times

No Red Bull bust up to fire the juices this week.

Independent

"They did everything they could to bust up my political base," Stenholm told me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The bust-up was dealt with internally.

Independent

The bust-up at UFJ and Daiei?

The Economist

A huge bust-up lies ahead.

The Times

But his book has triggered a bust-up online.

The Economist

Chicago is becoming the bust-up capital of the economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bust up" to describe either a quick forceful break-up or a gradual disintegration.

Common error

Avoid using "bust up" in overly formal or academic contexts where more precise language is preferred. For example, in a scientific paper, "disrupt" or "destroy" might be more appropriate than "bust up".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "bust up" functions primarily as a dynamic verb, indicating an action of breaking, ending, or disrupting. Ludwig shows it in contexts ranging from physical damage to relationship dissolution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

General Conversation

15%

Business

9%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bust up" is a versatile phrasal verb with meanings ranging from physical destruction to relationship dissolution and systemic disruption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability. Its informal register and presence in common media make it a readily understood phrase, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain contexts. Remember to consider your audience and the desired level of formality when choosing to use "bust up" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break up

Focuses on the ending of a relationship or a formal separation.

split up

Similar to "break up", often referring to relationships or groups disbanding.

disrupt

Emphasizes the interruption or disturbance of an ongoing process.

ruin

Indicates severe damage or destruction, often beyond repair.

demolish

Highlights the complete destruction of a physical structure.

destroy

Implies a complete annihilation or rendering something useless.

dismantle

Focuses on taking something apart piece by piece, often systematically.

scatter

Suggests dispersing or breaking up a group or collection.

quarrel

Highlights a heated argument or disagreement that leads to separation.

fall out

Describes a breakdown in a relationship or friendship due to disagreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "bust up" to describe physically damaging something, like "The storm could "bust up" the old shack". It can also refer to ending a relationship: "They decided to "break up" because they were constantly arguing.

What's a less informal alternative to "bust up"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "dismantle", "disrupt", or "demolish". These options provide a more formal tone than "bust up".

Is "bust up" appropriate for formal writing?

While "bust up" is widely understood, it is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more precise and professional alternatives like "terminate", "disband", or "damage".

What's the difference between "bust up" and "break up"?

"Break up" typically refers to the end of a relationship. While ""bust up"" can also describe ending a relationship, it is broader and can apply to physically destroying something or disrupting an organization. For example, a couple can ""break up"", and rioters can ""bust up"" a store.