Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

bust a/one's gut

idiom

Definition of bust a/one's gut

informal
1 : to work or try extremely hard
  • We're going to have to bust our guts to finish this project on time.
2 : to laugh in an uncontrolled way
  • I thought I'd bust a gut (laughing) when you showed up in that silly outfit.

Word by Word Definitions

bust play

  1. : a sculptured representation of the upper part of the human figure including the head and neck and usually part of the shoulders and breast

  2. : the upper part of the human torso between neck and waist

  1. : to break or smash especially with force

  2. : to bring an end to : break up

  3. : to ruin financially

  1. : spree

  2. : a hearty drinking session

  3. : a complete failure : flop

  1. : bankrupt, broke

See the full definition of bust
gut play

  1. : bowels, entrails

  2. : the basic visceral or emotional part of a person

  3. : digestive tract

  1. : eviscerate

  2. : to extract all the essential passages or portions from

  3. : to destroy the inside of

  1. : arising from one's inmost self : visceral

  2. : having strong impact or immediate relevance

See the full definition of gut

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up bust a/one's gut? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games