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bust in

B2 informal intransitive
In simple words

To suddenly push or break your way into a place.

Literal meaning: To bust (break) and come in.

Meanings

1 B2 informal

To enter a place by force, often by breaking a door or lock.

"The police busted in after receiving reports of a disturbance on the third floor."

2 B2 idiomatic informal

To interrupt a conversation or activity suddenly and rudely.

"Sorry to bust in, but there's a call for you on line two."

Usage notes

More informal than 'burst in' or 'break in'. Common in American English. Often implies physical force (busting a lock or door) or an aggressive, uninvited interruption of a conversation.

Commonly used with

door room conversation police apartment meeting

Forms

Base
bust in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
busts in
he/she/it
Past simple
busted in
yesterday
Past participle
busted in
have + pp
-ing form
busting in
continuous

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Synonyms

burst in break in barge in force entry intrude interrupt

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