go bust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'go bust' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a situation when someone loses a significant amount of money, goes insolvent, or fails completely. For example: "After investing all their money in the stock market, the couple went bust and had to declare bankruptcy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others may go bust.

The Economist

Some will go bust.

The Economist

Both businesses go bust.

The New York Times

Sure, great ideas go bust.

Princeton University

Thousands of companies go bust.

The Guardian - Opinion

Will the Olympics go bust?

The Washington Post

They're going to go bust.

The Guardian - Sport

But boomtowns inevitably go bust.

The New York Times - Magazine

When Businesses Go Bust: Liquidate or Reorganize?

Stanford University

Quite a few may go bust.

The Economist

Listed companies go bust, wiping out shareholders.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go bust" to describe a sudden or complete financial failure of a business, project, or individual. It's suitable for both general news and informal business contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "go bust" in highly formal or technical financial reports. Opt for terms like "become insolvent", "declare bankruptcy", or "enter liquidation" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go bust" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of becoming financially ruined or failing as a business. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is commonly used to describe financial ruin or failure. It's found in contexts where the consequences of economic hardship are discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go bust" is a common idiom used to describe a state of financial failure, primarily in business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While its usage is frequent in news and media, it's essential to recognize that more formal settings may require alternative phrases such as "become insolvent" or "declare bankruptcy". Analysis of various sources indicates that it is a straightforward way to communicate that something has failed financially, although its informality might not be suitable for all professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go bankrupt

Maintains a similar level of informality but replaces "bust" with "bankrupt", which more explicitly indicates a financial status.

go under

An informal way of saying a business has failed, emphasizing the finality of the failure.

become insolvent

Replaces the informal "go bust" with a more formal term, indicating a state of being unable to pay debts.

declare bankruptcy

Specifies a legal process of financial failure, adding a layer of formality and precision.

collapse financially

Emphasizes the financial aspect of the failure, using a more descriptive and slightly more formal tone.

be forced into receivership

Specifies a legal situation where a receiver is appointed to manage a failing business's assets.

cease trading

Focuses on the cessation of business operations due to financial problems, rather than the financial state itself.

liquidate assets

Describes the process of selling off assets to pay debts, which often precedes or accompanies financial failure.

close down

A more general term for ceasing operations, which may or may not be due to financial failure.

fail completely

A broad term indicating total failure, which may or may not be specifically financial.

FAQs

What does it mean when a business is said to "go bust"?

When a business is said to "go bust", it means it has failed financially, often to the point of being unable to pay its debts and forced to close. It's similar to saying the business has "declared bankruptcy" or "become insolvent".

Are there more formal alternatives to the phrase "go bust"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "become insolvent", "declare bankruptcy", "enter liquidation", or "cease trading". These are more appropriate for official reports or formal business communications.

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

You can use "go bust" to describe a company, industry, or even a personal financial situation. For example, "Many small businesses "go bust" during economic downturns", or "If I manage my business imprudently, I "go bust"."

Is it appropriate to use "go bust" in a financial analysis?

While "go bust" is widely understood, it might be too informal for detailed financial analysis or reports. Consider using more precise terminology like "financial collapse", "insolvency", or "bankruptcy" in those contexts.