like gangbusters
6
8.1
- idiom
- Informal
:
a toda máquina
- Turner came in the league like gangbusters and finished his all-too-short NFL career with 36 TDs in four years.
- came on like gangbusters
- going like gangbusters
- works like gangbusters
and one of the most read books in the world and selling like gangbusters still is because I am constantly innovating myself.
- and one of the most read books in the world and selling like gangbusters still is because I am constantly innovating myself.
Examples
-
And it's playing like gangbusters.
Fiction book (1995) -
Yeah, it's selling like gangbusters.
-
And it takes off like gangbusters in the early modern period.
-
I mean, it's going like gangbusters .
-
It's gonna work like gangbusters.
-
I have a writer friend who's been selling like gangbusters in fantasy for 25 years.
Blog text (20) -
True, I haven't exactly been selling like gangbusters, but I feel that with some time, I eventually will.
Blog text (12) -
You'd like him, you'd probably get along like gangbusters.
Blog text (18) -
They're solidly made, emotionally involving stories that play like gangbusters with a full house.
Blog text (2) -
The new restaurant has been doing business like gangbusters since it opened last month.
Synonyms
76
3.4
In a strong, energetic way showing a lot of effort
75
7.9
Happening very quickly, with great effort or very strongly
49
3.5
In a strong way that uses a lot of power
28
5.1
In an exciting way that attracts a lot of attention
23
6.7
Very strongly and with a lot of energy
13
8.1
Act very quickly and with great effort
12
5.6
In a very strong and angry way
8
8.2
Very quickly and with great energy
4
7.4
To do something with great energy and effort
4
4.7
Very quickly and with great force
1
5.9
In a very lively and excited way often to celebrate
In a very successful and energetic way
Antonyms
How Energetic
- Informal
6
8.1
76
3.4
8
3.0
129
2.1
3
5.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
like + gangbusters
The meaning 'with great energy/success' cannot be predicted from 'like' plus the literal reading of 'gang' and 'busters' (which would suggest people who bust gangs). The expression is idiomatic and historically driven, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not reliably infer the intended sense without prior exposure.
Etymology
Like gangbusters may come from an old radio show called Gang Busters that began with very loud, sudden sounds and quick police actions. That strong, bursting image explains why the phrase means 'with great energy, force, or success'.