get busted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get busted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone has been caught or found out doing something wrong that carries a punishment, such as breaking the law. For example, "The robbers quickly got busted after a tip from an anonymous caller."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You'd definitely get busted.

The New York Times

Unless they get busted first.

The New York Times

"It's considered bad form to get busted".

The New York Times - Sports

I even witnessed a few beauty myths get busted.

The New York Times

Gordon will get busted and he'll take the hit.

The New York Times - Sports

"If the crack was at least 15 feet away from me, I couldn't get busted".

The New York Times

"Either one guy's gonna get busted up, or nail the other guy very badly".

The New York Times - Sports

— Julia Moskin OC Weekly: Should kids get busted for bringing kombucha to school?

The New York Times

Are you about to get busted for a zero-to-sixty presumption of intimacy?

The New Yorker

"Too risky... might get busted... and prices would be too low in black market".

The New York Times

"It's kind of like what happens when drug dealers get busted.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get busted" when you want to convey that someone has been caught doing something illicit or against the rules, especially in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "get busted" in formal writing; opt for more professional alternatives like "be apprehended" or "be discovered" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get busted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of the action of being caught or exposed. Ludwig provides many examples of its use in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

29%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get busted" is a common and generally informal phrase used to describe someone being caught in a wrongdoing or having a secret exposed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and informal contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid using "get busted" in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "get caught" or "be apprehended" depending on the situation and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get caught

This alternative suggests being discovered or apprehended while doing something.

get found out

This suggests that a secret or wrongdoing has been discovered.

be found out

Similar to 'get found out', but with a slightly more passive construction.

get arrested

This refers specifically to being taken into custody by law enforcement.

get apprehended

This term refers to being formally seized or arrested.

be discovered

Implies that a hidden action or truth is revealed.

get exposed

This implies being revealed or unmasked, often in a figurative sense.

get nabbed

This is an informal term for being caught, often unexpectedly.

get pinched

This is a slang term, similar to 'nabbed', implying being caught by authorities.

get rumbled

This is a British slang term for being found out or exposed.

FAQs

What does "get busted" mean?

"Get busted" means to be caught doing something wrong, often by authorities, or to have a secret revealed.

What can I say instead of "get busted"?

You can use alternatives like "get caught", "get arrested", or "get exposed" depending on the context.

Is "get busted" formal or informal?

"Get busted" is generally considered informal. Use more formal language like "be apprehended" in professional or academic settings.

How to use "get busted" in a sentence?

You can use "get busted" like, "He tried to cheat on the test and he "got busted"."