bust crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're looking for solutions to the "bust crossword clue," you've come to the right place. We provide all possible answers, complete with explanations, to help you complete your puzzle quickly and accurately.
Solutions for "bust crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
NAB: To catch or arrest someone, often in a surprise action.
4 Letters
BUST: A sculpture of a person's head, shoulders, and chest.
FLOP: A complete failure, often financially or artistically.
RAID: A sudden, surprising attack or an entry by police to make arrests.
RUIN: To destroy or damage something severely, or the state of being destroyed.
FAIL: To be unsuccessful in achieving an objective or goal.
5 Letters
CHEST: The upper front part of the human body, sometimes referred to as a "bust" area.
8 Letters
COLLAPSE: To fall down or in suddenly; to fail utterly.
More About "bust crossword clue"
The word "bust" is a fascinating clue in crosswords because of its multiple, distinct meanings. It can refer to a sculpted representation of a person from the chest up, a sudden and forceful police raid or arrest, or a complete failure, particularly in financial or business terms (as in 'going bust'). This versatility makes it a common but sometimes tricky clue for solvers.
When you encounter "bust" in a crossword, always consider the length of the required answer and the context provided by other words in the clue or in intersecting answers. For instance, a clue mentioning an 'artist' or 'gallery' might point to the sculpture meaning, while 'police action' or 'gambling' might indicate an arrest or a financial collapse.
Crossword setters love to play on these multiple definitions to create challenging puzzles. By understanding the various facets of "bust" – from art to law enforcement to economics – you'll be better equipped to determine the intended answer and complete your grid with confidence.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues like "bust," think about all its possible meanings – a statue, a failure, an arrest, or to break. The most common alternative meaning for "bust" in crosswords is often related to a financial or project failure.
- Consider Letter Count First: Before diving into definitions, count the available spaces. This immediately narrows down the possibilities significantly, e.g., 'NAB' is 3 letters, 'BUST' and 'FLOP' are 4 letters, while 'COLLAPSE' is 8.
- Look for Contextual Clues: Sometimes the clue will include other words that hint at the specific meaning of "bust." For example, "Box office bust" clearly points to failure, while "Sculptor's work" points to the statue.
- Check Intersecting Words: If you have some letters from an intersecting word, use them to eliminate unlikely "bust" answers. This is often the most effective strategy when a clue has multiple meanings.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common meanings of 'bust' in crossword clues?
The clue 'bust' can refer to several different concepts in crosswords. It commonly means a sculpture (a bust), a failure (as in 'go bust' or a 'flop'), an arrest or police raid, or to break something (to 'bust' it). The context of the surrounding clues and the number of letters will help narrow down the meaning.
How can I tell if 'bust' refers to a statue or a failure?
Look at the letter count and any accompanying words in the clue. If it's a short answer, 'BUST' (4 letters) is often the statue. Clues like 'financial bust' or 'box office bust' would point to a failure, potentially leading to answers like 'FLOP' (4 letters) or 'RUIN' (4 letters). Consider if the clue implies an action (to break/arrest) or a noun (a sculpture/a failure).
Are there any idiomatic expressions for 'bust' used in crosswords?
Yes, 'bust' appears in many idioms that can be clued in crosswords. Examples include 'bust a move' (dance), 'bust a gut' (laugh hard), 'bust out' (escape), 'bust up' (a fight or breakup), or 'bust chops' (harass). These typically suggest an action or event, rather than a physical object.