bust

burst/bust a blood vessel (informal)

1. to use a lot of effort doing something. I'd like the designs as soon as possible, but don't bust a blood vessel!

2. to become very angry and start shouting. He nearly burst a blood vessel when he heard what they'd done to his car.

See also: blood, burst, vessel

bust a gut (informal)

to work very hard or to make a big effort to achieve something. I really bust a gut to get that report finished on time.

See also: gut

bust a gut (laughing) (informal)

to laugh a lot. I bust a gut laughing at his imitation of the Queen.

See also: gut

bust your ass (American, very informal!)

to work very hard. He'll just have to bust his ass to make sure the job is finished on time.

See also: ass

bust your ass/balls (American, very informal!, Australian, very informal!)

to use a lot of effort to do something. I busted my balls getting him that ticket, and now he's changed his mind! He bust his arse for ten years in that job and got no thanks for it.

See also: ass, ball

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bust a gut

1. to work very hard to achieve something. It's kind of sad to see these kids bust a gut chasing a dream that will never succeed.

2. to laugh very energetically. I busted a gut reading that essay.

Etymology: based on the idea that extremely hard physical work or laughter could damage your gut (= stomach)

See also: gut