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rust

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It is better to wear out than to rust out.

Prov. It is better to work until you die than to be idle just because you are old. Nancy: Grandma, you shouldn't work so hard. You're not young anymore, you know. Grandmother: Thanks for your concern, dear, but I plan to keep working. It's better to wear out than to rust out. Bill: You really ought to relax. I'm afraid you'll kill yourself with too much work. Nancy: So what? It's better to wear out than to rust out.

See also: better, out, rust, wear

rust away

to dissolve away into rust. In a few years, this car will rust away if you don't take care of it. The bridge is rusting away, little by little.

See also: away, rust

rust belt

Fig. the industrial north of the United States. (Patterned on sun belt.) The economy in the rust belt is slowing down. The salt they put on the roads in the winter made my car all rusty. I guess that's why they call this area the rust belt.

See also: belt, rust

rust out

to develop holes or weak places owing to rust. Our hot water heater rusted out and flooded the basement.

See also: out, rust

rust up

v.

1. To become thoroughly corroded: The walls of the old ship had rusted up.

2. To become immobile or stuck due to corrosion: The bolts have rusted up; I can't remove them.

3. To cause something to be thoroughly corroded: Don't use these chemicals; they will rust up the tank. Exposure to salt rusted the fender up.

See also: rust, up

rust belt

n. the industrial north of the U.S. (Patterned on sun belt.) The salt they put on the roads in the winter made my car all rusty. I guess that’s why they call this area the rust belt.

See also: belt, rust

rust bucket

n. a naval destroyer; any ship. (Military.) Why don’t I ever get assigned to a new ship? It’s always some crummy rust bucket!

See also: bucket, rust