like gangbusters — mod. with great excitement and fury. (From the phrase come on like gangbusters. “Gangbusters” was a radio show that came on with lots of sirens and gunshots.) □ She works like gangbusters and gets the job done. □ They are selling tickets like… … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
like gangbusters — phrasal with great or excessive force or aggressiveness < came on like gangbusters >; also with great speed or success < making money like gangbusters Martha Hume > … New Collegiate Dictionary
like gangbusters — adverb Vigorously, rapidly, zealously, or forcibly; in a manner which has considerable impact. Put an actress in knock out clothes and shell come through like gangbusters … Wiktionary
like gangbusters — American, informal very successfully. Both books have been selling like gangbusters … New idioms dictionary
like gangbusters — idi+inf with vigor and speed … From formal English to slang
go (or like) gangbusters — with great vigour or success. → gangbuster … English new terms dictionary
come on like gangbusters — American, informal to start doing something eagerly and with a lot of energy, especially performing or talking to people. In one of his most renowned performances, Cagney comes on like gangbusters as hoodlum Tom Powers … New idioms dictionary
gangbusters — to come on like gangbusters (c.1940) is from U.S. radio crimefighting drama Gangbusters (1937 57) which opened with a cacophony of sirens, screams, shots, and jarring music … Etymology dictionary
gangbusters — ☆ gangbusters [gaŋ′bus΄tərz ] pl.n. Slang police or officials engaged in combating criminal gangs: now chiefly in like gangbusters, very forcefully, energetically, or effectively * * * … Universalium
gangbusters — ☆ gangbusters [gaŋ′bus΄tərz ] pl.n. Slang police or officials engaged in combating criminal gangs: now chiefly in like gangbusters, very forcefully, energetically, or effectively … English World dictionary
