bust wide open

bust (someone or something) wide open

1. To physically attack someone, as with punches and other blows, such that they suffer significant injury; to beat someone up. Often used in the context of a threat. The captain of the football team swore he would bust me wide open if I ever talked to his girlfriend again. I can't believe that skinny kid busted the school bully wide open! Hey, let's walk another way home. That shady group of guys could bust us wide open!

2. To expose something scandalous or deceptive or make it subject to closer scrutiny. That company's stock price plummeted after the media busted the CEO's embezzlement scandal wide open. An anonymous tip to the police is what busted the theft ring wide open. She is known for busting the government's massive cover-up wide open.

See also: bust, open, wide

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

bust someone wide open

Sl. to beat someone severely. (An exaggeration. Bust is a nonstandard form of burst.) If you ever take a step onto my property, I'll bust you wide open. Jim threatened to bust Bill wide open.

See also: bust, open, wide

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.