1 B2 informal
To escape from a place of confinement, especially prison.
"Two inmates busted out of the county jail by cutting through a ventilation duct."
inseparable
bust out
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To escape from confinement; to suddenly produce or begin something; (US informal) to use or display something impressively.
In plain English
To escape from somewhere, or to suddenly take something out and use it.
What does "bust out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To suddenly produce or use something, often to impress others.
"After dinner, he busted out an acoustic guitar and started playing old folk songs."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To suddenly begin a strong emotional or physical reaction (laughing, crying, etc.).
"She busted out laughing when she saw the dog wearing a tiny hat."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bust (break) out of something.
Actually means
To escape from somewhere, or to suddenly take something out and use it.
Usage tip
Very versatile informal American English term. 'Bust out of prison' (escape), 'bust out the guitar' (produce suddenly), and 'bust out laughing' (begin suddenly) are all common patterns. The 'produce suddenly' sense often implies showing off.
Words that pair with "bust out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
prison jail guitar moves laughter snacks
How to conjugate "bust out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bust out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
busts out
he/she/it
Past simple
busted out
yesterday
Past participle
busted out
have + pp
-ing form
busting out
continuous
Hear "bust out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "bust out"
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Keep exploring
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