bust a gut

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bust a gut (third-person singular simple present busts a gut, present participle busting a gut, simple past and past participle busted a gut or bust a gut)

1. (slang) To work or try very hard.

   I had to really bust a gut to get it done by the deadline.

2. (slang) To develop a pain in the side from laughing hard.

   Something about the way he said that made me just bust a gut: I practically died laughing!