1 B2 informal
To break something, especially a door or barrier, open by force.
"The firefighters had to bust down the door to reach the people trapped inside."
separable
bust down
B2 informal separable transitive
To break something down by force; also (US slang) to demote someone in rank.
In plain English
To break something apart using a lot of force, like kicking a door open.
What does "bust down" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
(US military/informal) To demote someone to a lower rank.
"The sergeant was busted down to private after the incident was investigated."
separable
3 C1 idiomatic slang
(US slang) To cover or encrust something, especially jewellery, with diamonds or gems.
"He spent a fortune busting down his watch with custom-set diamonds."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bust (break) something downward or apart.
Actually means
To break something apart using a lot of force, like kicking a door open.
Usage tip
The physical sense (break by force) is common in action contexts. The military/workplace sense (to demote) is American English slang. A third emerging slang sense means to decorate something expensively (e.g. a watch 'busted down' with diamonds).
Words that pair with "bust down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
door wall rank sergeant watch diamonds
How to conjugate "bust down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bust down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
busts down
he/she/it
Past simple
busted down
yesterday
Past participle
busted down
have + pp
-ing form
busting down
continuous
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