bust up

bust someone up 

1. Sl to cause lovers to separate; to break up a pair of lovers, including married persons. (See also bust something up.) Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning 'break (apart)' here. Mary busted Terri and John up. Mary busted up Terri and John.

2. Sl to beat someone up; to batter someone. (Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning 'hit' here.) You want me to bust you up? Max busted up Lefty pretty badly.

See also: bust, up

bust something up 

1. Inf. to break or ruin something; to break something into smaller pieces. (Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning 'break' here.) Who busted this plate up? Don't bust up the plates! Be careful!

2. Sl to ruin a marriage by coming between the married people. (See also bust someone up. Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning 'break' here.) He busted their marriage up by starting rumors about Maggie. He busted up their marriage.

See also: bust, up

bust up 

1. Sl [for lovers] to separate or break up. (Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning 'break' here.) Tom and Alice busted up for good. They busted up last week.

2. Sl [for something] to break up due to natural causes. (Bust is a nonstandard form of burst meaning 'break (apart)' here.) The rocket busted up in midair. I saw it bust up.

See also: bust, up