Bust your balls Meaning in English
expression
ˈbəst/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈbɔɫz
BUST-yer-BAWLZ
bˈʌst/ /jˈɔː/ /bˈɔːlz
BUST-yaw-BAWLZ
Definition
An informal and somewhat vulgar expression meaning to work very hard, or to tease or annoy someone as a joke.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal and mildly vulgar; mainly used among friends or in casual contexts. Often used as 'bust my/your/his balls.' Meaning depends on context: working hard ('bust your balls studying') or jokingly annoying someone ('Why are you busting my balls?'). Not appropriate in formal situations.
Spanish: romperte el lomo (informal) - fastidiarte (broma)Portuguese (BR): ralar muito (informal) - zoar (brincadeira)Portuguese (PT): esforçar-se muito (informal) - chatear (em tom de brincadeira)Chinese (Simplified): 拼命干活（俚语）- 拿…开玩笑（调侃）Chinese (Traditional): 拼命幹活（俚語）- 拿…開玩笑（調侃）Hindi: बहुत मेहनत करना (अमौपचारिक) - मज़ाक उड़ाना (मज़ाक में)Arabic: تتعب نفسك جداً (عامية) - تمزح معك (بطريقة مزاح)Bengali: ঘাম ছুটিয়ে কাজ করা (অপ্রচলিত/অপচয়) - ঠাট্টা করা (মজার ছলে)Russian: очень стараться (разг.) - подкалывать (шутка)Japanese: 必死で頑張る（俗語） - からかう（冗談で）Vietnamese: làm việc quần quật (tiếng lóng) - trêu chọc (cho vui)Korean: 죽어라 일하다 (비격식) - 놀리다 (장난으로)Turkish: canını dişine takmak (argo) - dalga geçmek (şakayla karışık)Urdu: جان توڑ محنت کرنا (غیر رسمی) - مذاق اُڑانا (مزاحاً)Indonesian: kerja keras banget (gaul) - menggoda bercanda (bercanda)
Example Sentences
I had to bust my balls to finish this project on time.
basic
Stop busting my balls—I'm already doing my best!
basic
He always busts his balls to help his family.
basic
Man, I really busted my balls on that report.
natural
Why do you always bust my balls about being late?
natural
She doesn't mean it—she's just busting your balls.
natural