bust (one's) chops
1. To exert a significant amount of energy or work very hard to do, accomplish, or complete something. I've been busting my chops all night long to get this presentation ready for tomorrow's meeting. She's going to have to bust her chops if she wants a place on the varsity team. We busted our chops cleaning the house before Mom got here, and she still said her room was dusty!
2. To harass, nag, or upbraid one to do, accomplish, or complete something. The boss is busting everyone's chops to get the project ready by next week. Quit busting my chops! I'll get it done eventually! I wouldn't have to bust your chops if you would just do your chores like you're supposed to!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bust someone's chops
AMERICAN, INFORMALIf you bust someone's chops, you tease them or criticize them for something. His friends bust his chops about being voted the `best-dressed man'. This is not a good time to bust his chops about his poor communication skills.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
bust someone's chops
nag or criticize someone. North American informalbust your chops
exert yourself. North American informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
bust (someone's) chops
1. To scold or insult someone.
2. To disappoint or defeat someone.
3. To hold a building contractor to the letter of an agreement.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.