bust up meaning (slang): definition, quotations

bust-up

nounalso spelled bust-up

Slang An angry argument.

“It was a real old bust-up. I do wish I knew what it was all about.”1920, Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, London: Pan Books, published 1954, page 23:
Donald Trump warned Elon Musk on Saturday that he faces “very serious consequences” if he funds Democratic candidates following the pair’s epic public bust-up this week.2025 June 7, Edward Helmore, “Trump warns Musk of ‘very serious consequences’ if he backs Democrats”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

verb

US, Informal To physically damage or ruin; to be ruined; to go bankrupt; to end (something).

If I was school . . . I’d capitulate tomorrow. I’d bonfire the books, drain the inkwells and bust up the blackboard — if only he would stop hating. It’s wearing me out!1957 November 14, Sputnik [pseudonym], “My Son Hates School”, in Daily Record, number 19,357, Glasgow: Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 2, columns 2–3:
The doctor told me nothing that I didn't already know; my hand was busted up pretty good. It was too early to tell how badly it had been busted up, but I was most definitely out of the tournament.2005, Ken Shamrock, Beyond the Lion's Den: The Life, The Fights, The Techniques:

US, Informal To break up (end a relationship).

I knew, because both Alison and Penny had taught me, that busting up with someone could be miserable, but I didn't know that getting off with someone could be miserable too.1995, Nick Hornby, High Fidelity, London: Victor Gollancz, →ISBN, page 19:

Slang To shoot (someone).

African-American Vernacular

Slang To express sudden and intense emotions; to burst into loud laughter.

Australia, Slang To spend money wildly, especially on alcoholic drinks.