busting my ass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'busting my ass' is considered correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to emphasize the amount of effort and hard work you are putting in to accomplish something. For example, "I've been busting my ass all week to get this project finished on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I'm on my bike, busting my ass six hours a day.

The New Yorker

"I'm busting my ass out there and my right fielder won't go into the wall?

The Guardian - Sport

Why am I busting my ass while he isn't and doing just as good?" The rest of the table nods as he speaks.

The Guardian

("Everybody wants to know what I'm on. What am I on? I'm on my bike, busting my ass six hours a day. What are you on?") I have already conceded that I was, perhaps, overly beguiled by Lance's excellence.

The New Yorker

Everyone doesn't make a commercial for Nike in which he ridicules any suggestion that he was ever "on" anything other than his bicycle, "busting my ass six hours a day".

The New Yorker

I get the train a lot and I would think, I'm busting my ass here to keep them quiet; and yet they have no idea how aware parents are of annoying people when they have a young baby".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"She already busts my ass for everything," he said.

The New Yorker

But I busted my ass and stayed late every night — and this was when it wasn't a great idea to enter southern Cibwarv's atmosphere after dark.

The New Yorker

I was at private school my parents couldn't really afford because I bust my ass and won a 100% academic scholarship.

The Guardian - Opinion

After I busted my ass to make sure I got where I needed to be, they just snatched it back like it was nothing".

The New Yorker

But I busted my ass and stayed late every night and this was when it wasn't a great idea to enter southern Cibwarv's atmosphere after dark.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "busting my ass" in informal settings to convey intense effort and dedication. Be mindful of your audience, as the phrase can be considered vulgar.

Common error

Avoid using "busting my ass" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more professional alternatives like "working diligently" or "exerting maximum effort".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busting my ass" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the speaker's effort and dedication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to express hard work.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "busting my ass" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic phrase used to express intense effort and dedication. As Ludwig AI points out, while widely understood, it's crucial to consider the context, avoiding its use in formal or professional settings. Alternatives like "working my tail off" or "going the extra mile" may be more suitable depending on the audience. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, with careful use recommended to maintain appropriate formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working my tail off

Emphasizes continuous effort, similar to working relentlessly.

going the extra mile

Suggests exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

knocking myself out

Highlights the personal sacrifice and exhaustion involved.

striving mightily

Formal and emphasizes determination and strength of effort.

burning the midnight oil

Focuses on working late into the night.

putting in a lot of effort

A more neutral and less emphatic way of expressing hard work.

giving it my all

Highlights dedication and commitment to a task.

exerting maximum effort

Emphasizes the high degree of energy and focus applied.

laboring diligently

Formal, stresses consistent and careful work.

endeavoring strenuously

Highlights a serious and sustained effort towards a goal.

FAQs

What does "busting my ass" mean?

The phrase "busting my ass" means working extremely hard and putting in a lot of effort to achieve something. It's an informal idiom to express dedication and exertion.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "busting my ass"?

It's appropriate in informal conversations with friends or colleagues where strong language is acceptable. Avoid using it in formal writing, professional settings, or when speaking with someone you don't know well.

What are some less vulgar alternatives to "busting my ass"?

You can use alternatives like "working my tail off", "going the extra mile", or "putting in a lot of effort" depending on the context.

How can I use "busting my ass" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "I've been "busting my ass" all week to finish this project on time."