gangbuster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal (especially in its extended sense)
Quick answer
What does “gangbuster” mean?
Someone who combats or investigates organized criminal gangs, especially a police officer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Someone who combats or investigates organized criminal gangs, especially a police officer.
Something that proceeds with extraordinary force, energy, success, or enthusiasm; to a highly successful, energetic, or impressive degree. Most often used adverbially in the phrase 'like gangbusters'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word originated and is used almost exclusively in American English. In British English, it is understood mainly through cultural exposure (films, TV) but is not part of the active lexicon. The concept would likely be paraphrased.
Connotations
In AmE, it carries strong cultural connotations from 1930s-40s radio crime dramas and post-WWII economic boom. It evokes forceful, unstoppable action.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE in the idiom 'like gangbusters'; virtually zero frequency in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “gangbuster” in a Sentence
VERB + like gangbusters (e.g., start, go, come out)BE + gangbuster (adj.) + NOUN (e.g., a gangbuster year)GO + gangbusters (e.g., The campaign is going gangbusters.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gangbuster” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – not used in BrE.
American English
- N/A – 'gangbuster' is not used as a verb. The verb is 'to bust gangs'.'
adverb
British English
- N/A – not used in BrE.
American English
- The concert tickets sold like gangbusters.
- After a slow January, our team started working like gangbusters.
adjective
British English
- N/A – not used in BrE.
American English
- The tech firm reported gangbuster profits in the last quarter.
- We're hoping for a gangbuster holiday season.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in financial/news reporting to describe exceptionally strong performance: 'The company's new product is selling like gangbusters.'
Academic
Extremely rare; would be considered informal and stylistically inappropriate.
Everyday
Used informally to describe anything starting or proceeding with great energy and success: 'Her new business is going like gangbusters.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gangbuster”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gangbuster”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gangbuster”
- Using 'gangbuster' as a standalone noun to mean 'a huge success' (e.g., 'The film was a real gangbuster.') – this is incorrect. The adjectival use needs a noun (gangbuster sales).
- Using the idiom without 'like' or 'go' (e.g., 'It started gangbusters.') – non-standard.
- Assuming it has a negative connotation related to gang violence.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is an informal expression, primarily used in spoken language and informal journalism (e.g., business reports).
Almost always. The standard idiomatic forms are 'like gangbusters' (adverbial) and 'go gangbusters' (verbal phrase). The adjectival form 'gangbuster' (e.g., gangbuster sales) does not use 'like'.
It comes from the American radio show 'Gang Busters' (1935-1957), which dramatized FBI cases against organized crime. The show's opening featured loud sirens and gunshots, creating an association with forceful, dramatic action.
Many would understand the idiom 'like gangbusters' from American media, but it is not a natural part of British English vocabulary. A British speaker would likely say 'like a bomb' (UK) or 'really well' instead.
Someone who combats or investigates organized criminal gangs, especially a police officer.
Gangbuster: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡæŋˌbʌstə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡæŋˌbʌstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like gangbusters”
- “go gangbusters”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a police officer (a BUSTER of criminal GANGs) breaking down a door with such force and energy that the phrase 'like gangbusters' comes to mean doing anything with that same explosive energy.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS FORCEFUL PHYSICAL ACTION (busting down doors). ENERGETIC ACTIVITY IS AGGRESSIVE POLICE WORK.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'gangbuster' CORRECTLY?