bust (one's) butt

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.

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!

3. To defeat one decisively. We weren't prepared for the game, and the other team busted our 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.

See also: bust, butt

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

bust somebody’s ˈass/ˈballs/ˈbutt/ˈhump

(American English, taboo, slang) (also bust somebody’s ˈchops American English rather old-fashioned) criticize somebody in an angry or annoying way: Why are you always busting my balls? ♢ This guy keeps busting my chops about my smelly tennis sneakers. ▶ ˈball-buster noun

See also: ass, ball, bust, butt, hump

bust your ˈass/ˈballs/ˈbutt/ˈhump

(American English, taboo, slang) make a very great effort: I bust my ass to get that job. ♢ I’ve been busting my hump for the last week trying to get the project finished.

See also: ass, ball, bust, butt, hump

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

bust butt

verb

See bust one’s ass to do something

See also: bust, butt

bust butt to do something

verb

See bust one’s ass to do something

See also: bust, butt, something, to

bust one’s butt

verb

See bust one’s ass to do something

See also: bust, butt

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.