bust (one's) butt
1. To exert a significant amount of energy in some task, activity, or goal; to work very hard. I've been busting my butt all night long to get this presentation ready for tomorrow's meeting. She's going to have to bust her butt if she wants a place on the varsity team. We busted our butts 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 butt to get the project ready by next week. Quit busting my butt! I'll get it done eventually! I wouldn't have to bust your butt if you would just do your chores like you're supposed to!
3. To defeat one decisively. We weren't prepared for the game, and the other team busted our butts. I figured that candidate would win, but I didn't expect her to bust her opponent's butt like that! Yikes, what a landslide! The final score was 17–1? Wow, we really busted their butts!
4. To tease one; to give one a hard time. Aw, come on, dude, I was just busting your butt. No need to get upset about it. Please, I'm used to that kind of teasing—I grew up with three older brothers who loved busting my butt. You're a rookie, which means the veterans on the team are going to bust your butt every chance they get.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.