1. n. a failure. The whole project was a bust from the beginning.
2. tv. to reduce someone’s rank. (Originally military, now also in civilian use as with the police.) The brass busted her on the spot.
3. n. a riotous drinking party. There was a big bust in the park until two in the morning.
4. n. a raid by the police. I knew it was a bust the minute they broke in the door.
5. tv. [for the police] to raid a place. The bacon busted Bill’s bar and put Bill in the slammer.
6. tv. to arrest someone. The feds finally busted Frank on a tax rap.
7. n. an arrest. The bust was carried off without much stress.
8. tv. to inform on someone, leading to an arrest. Tom busted Sam because there’s bad blood between them.
9. n. the police. Here comes the bust. Beat it!
10. Go to busted.