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Glite Dictionary
to bust ass

to bust ass

1 9.1
To work very hard to finish something
  • phrasal verb
  • NSFW
translation icon : trabajar duro
  • If we want to finish this project on time, everyone will need to bust ass and give their best effort.

Examples

  • I know you've been busting ass with work and getting everything ready for the baby.

    What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)

  • The impression I get is that when you bust ass and believe in what you're doing, you can build a steady fanbase and respect.

    Blog text (6)

  • Every single member of Congress with a shiny, marble-floored office on the Hill has a local congressional office where people are busting ass working for the constituency every day.

    Blog text (20)

  • To succeed in this competitive industry, you really have to bust ass to deliver quality work.

  • After the promotion was announced, she decided to bust ass and prove that she deserved it.

Synonyms

to work one's ass off
vsto bust ass
  • Offensive
13 8.4

Try very hard for a long time to do something

is the same idea also expressed in coarse language
to bust butt
vsto bust ass
  • Informal
9 9.4

To work very hard to finish a task

is the same intense effort but uses a different crude variant
to work like crazy
vsto bust ass
  • Informal
3 4.8

Try very hard for some time

is similar but implies general hard effort rather than frantic strain
to put one's shoulder into
vsto bust ass
  • Informal
1 6.8

To work very hard and use a lot of energy

is similar but stresses general hard work rather than focused force
to work to the bone
vsto bust ass
  • Informal
6.0

To do very hard, long tasks until you are very tired

is like hard effort but does not emphasize resulting exhaustion
to break one's back
vsto bust ass
  • Informal
6.0

To work very hard at something until you are very tired

is similar but frames effort without stressing bodily harm

Antonyms

to take it easy
  • Informal
572 2.5

Relax and avoid doing too much or worrying

to slack off
  • Informal
3 3.9

To become less strong or busy

How Hard

to work one's ass off
  • Offensive
13 8.4
to slave
47 5.3
to bust ass
  • NSFW
1 9.1
work
∞ 1.0
to loaf
7 6.2

Surface Forms

bust ass infinitive
busted ass past
busted ass past participle
busting ass present participle
busts ass third person singular

Morphology

bustin + ass

The parts 'bust' (to break/force) and 'ass' (butt) combine in a figurative way to mean 'exert oneself', so there is a partial, metaphorical link to working hard rather than a straightforward compositional meaning. Because the sense is idiomatic, informal/vulgar, and requires recognizing a metaphorical extension of 'bust', a B1 learner who only knows the literal words would only partly infer the intended meaning and not reliably predict it.

Etymology

The verb bust ass may come from a strong image: bust meaning 'break' and ass meaning 'butt', so someone works or moves so hard they could hurt their behind. That's why today it means 'work very hard'.