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Define Dictionary Meaning - True Words & Their Meanings
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Gangbusters

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  • Sarahundefined Offline
    Sarahundefined Offline
    Sarah
    wrote on last edited by admin
    #1

    Gang Busters was a famous radio program that was first heard in 1936 and aired until 1957. The sound effects of police sirens, tommyguns, and screeching tires that opened the show were dramatic and exciting -- this inspired the expression coming on like gangbusters.
    Usage has opened up to describe things that are not just exciting, but successful, intense, and many other adjectives, and many drop the coming on like prefix. I think we should be more careful about how we use it, and keep it true to its origin -- something that starts with much excitement and drama is coming on like gangbusters.

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    • Soniaundefined Offline
      Soniaundefined Offline
      Sonia
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Also used in conjunction with like, to create like gangbusters. This phrase can be used to describe something energetic or intense.

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      • Couch Potatoeundefined Offline
        Couch Potatoeundefined Offline
        Couch Potatoe
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        most commonly used in conjunction with like to describe something that is extremely effective

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        • Luis Fokundefined Offline
          Luis Fokundefined Offline
          Luis Fok
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          used to describe an action displaying a complete lack of subtlety

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          • Little_Girlundefined Offline
            Little_Girlundefined Offline
            Little_Girl
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            A bad ass collaboration of two bad ass Djs from seattle.
            JAME

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            • Mernaundefined Offline
              Mernaundefined Offline
              Merna
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              to show a large amount of energy, activity, speed, or success:

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