What Does 'Like Gangbusters' Mean?
2024-12-01
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2With a new project, you may want to start with energy and excitement.
3If that is the case, you could say you want to start like gangbusters.
4To start like gangbusters means you start a project on the right foot - an exciting one! You begin with energy, speed, and attention-getting success.
5Let's hear some examples:
6She works like gangbusters and gets the job done quickly.
7The wildflowers are spreading like gangbusters.
8We can use this expression to describe something that starts with a lot of enthusiasm.
9It can also mean someone or something is having great effect -- usually in a good way.
10Whatever the attempt is, it is successful.
11To start something like gangbusters can also mean it involved great force or aggressiveness.
12For example, the partners worked like gangbusters to open their business before their rivals in the city.
13Like gangbusters can simply mean something is growing very fast.
14For example, if the economy is growing like gangbusters, it is growing very fast.
15Sometimes we add the phrasal verb "come on," making the expression to come on like gangbusters.
16The expression to come on like gangbusters can also mean to work hard and in an energetic, forceful manner to get something done.
17Here are some examples:
18When I gave the lesson to my students, they came on like gangbusters to try to solve the mystery.
19The new employee came on like gangbusters during her first few months on the job.
20But why gangbusters?
21As a noun, gangbuster is a term for a law-enforcement officer who breaks up organized crime. Gangbusters often use forceful or aggressive means.
22Word experts say the expression like gangbusters comes from a popular radio show called Gang Busters broadcast in the United States from 1935 to 1957.
23This crime-fighting radio drama started with a lot of noise and excitement - police sirens, screams, gun fire and exciting music.
24Gangbuster is also an adjective.
25It can describe something that is excellent or successful.
26For example, experts are reporting of a gangbusters housing market in rural areas.
27It can also describe someone who is energetic or eager to do something.
28For example, if someone asks you to volunteer during the weekend you can say, "I'm not really gangbusters over that idea."
29However, this usage is not as common as to come on like gangbusters.
30And if you do not want to use gangbusters, you could say you started something with a bang.
31To start or begin something with a bang means you start in an exciting and noticeable way.
32You can also say to be back with a bang.
33Here's an example using that expression:
34The singer took a year off. But with her new album, she's back with a bang.
35And that's end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2With a new project, you may want to start with energy and excitement. If that is the case, you could say you want to start like gangbusters. 3To start like gangbusters means you start a project on the right foot - an exciting one! You begin with energy, speed, and attention-getting success. 4Let's hear some examples: 5She works like gangbusters and gets the job done quickly. 6The wildflowers are spreading like gangbusters. 7We can use this expression to describe something that starts with a lot of enthusiasm. It can also mean someone or something is having great effect -- usually in a good way. Whatever the attempt is, it is successful. 8To start something like gangbusters can also mean it involved great force or aggressiveness. For example, the partners worked like gangbusters to open their business before their rivals in the city. 9Like gangbusters can simply mean something is growing very fast. For example, if the economy is growing like gangbusters, it is growing very fast. 10Sometimes we add the phrasal verb "come on," making the expression to come on like gangbusters. The expression to come on like gangbusters can also mean to work hard and in an energetic, forceful manner to get something done. 11Here are some examples: 12When I gave the lesson to my students, they came on like gangbusters to try to solve the mystery. 13The new employee came on like gangbusters during her first few months on the job. 14But why gangbusters? 15As a noun, gangbuster is a term for a law-enforcement officer who breaks up organized crime. Gangbusters often use forceful or aggressive means. 16Word experts say the expression like gangbusters comes from a popular radio show called Gang Busters broadcast in the United States from 1935 to 1957. This crime-fighting radio drama started with a lot of noise and excitement - police sirens, screams, gun fire and exciting music. 17Gangbuster is also an adjective. It can describe something that is excellent or successful. For example, experts are reporting of a gangbusters housing market in rural areas. 18It can also describe someone who is energetic or eager to do something. For example, if someone asks you to volunteer during the weekend you can say, "I'm not really gangbusters over that idea." However, this usage is not as common as to come on like gangbusters. 19And if you do not want to use gangbusters, you could say you started something with a bang. To start or begin something with a bang means you start in an exciting and noticeable way. You can also say to be back with a bang. 20Here's an example using that expression: 21The singer took a year off. But with her new album, she's back with a bang. 22And that's end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 23Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 24_______________________________________________ 25Words in This Story 26enthusiasm -n. strong excitement of feeling 27aggressiveness -n. being forceful in getting things done 28rival -n. one of two or more trying to get what only one can have 29eager -adj. marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest 30album -n. a collection of one or more audio recordings that is presented as a single unit and is typically longer than a single 31We want to hear from you. Do you have a similar expression in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. Our comment policy is here. Or send us an email at LearningEnglish@voanews.com