Bedeutung
Used when someone is caught doing something they shouldn't be doing.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the US, 'Busted!' is often used in reality TV shows when a contestant is caught breaking the rules. In the UK, the term is used similarly, but sometimes 'Caught red-handed' is preferred for more serious situations. In modern tech offices, 'Busted!' is often used in Slack or messaging apps to playfully call out coworkers. Parents often use 'Busted!' to playfully catch children in small acts of mischief.
Tone Matters
Always keep your tone playful when using 'Busted!' with friends. If you say it too seriously, it might sound like you are actually angry.
Avoid in Formal Writing
Never use 'Busted!' in an essay or a professional email. It is strictly for speech or informal text messages.
Bedeutung
Used when someone is caught doing something they shouldn't be doing.
Tone Matters
Always keep your tone playful when using 'Busted!' with friends. If you say it too seriously, it might sound like you are actually angry.
Avoid in Formal Writing
Never use 'Busted!' in an essay or a professional email. It is strictly for speech or informal text messages.
Use with 'Gotcha'
You can combine them: 'Busted! Gotcha!' for extra emphasis.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form.
I thought I was being quiet, but I got ______ by my teacher.
We use the past participle 'busted' after 'got' to form the passive voice.
Which situation is appropriate for 'Busted!'?
When is it okay to use 'Busted!'?
Busted is slang and only appropriate for informal, lighthearted situations.
Choose the best response.
Friend: 'I saw you at the mall when you said you were working!' You: '______!'
Busted is the perfect response to acknowledge being caught in a lie.
Match the phrase to the context.
Which phrase means 'I caught you'?
Busted is the standard slang term for being caught.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenI thought I was being quiet, but I got ______ by my teacher.
We use the past participle 'busted' after 'got' to form the passive voice.
When is it okay to use 'Busted!'?
Busted is slang and only appropriate for informal, lighthearted situations.
Friend: 'I saw you at the mall when you said you were working!' You: '______!'
Busted is the perfect response to acknowledge being caught in a lie.
Which phrase means 'I caught you'?
Busted is the standard slang term for being caught.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but it is usually used in news reports or casual conversation about the crime, not to the criminal themselves.
It can be, depending on the context. If you use it to embarrass someone, it can be seen as rude.
'Caught' is neutral. 'Busted' is slang and implies a more dramatic or playful discovery.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. Use 'I am busted'.
No, it can be for any secret or prohibited act, like eating a snack or breaking a rule.
It is pronounced BUS-ted.
Absolutely not. It is too informal.
Yes, it is widely understood in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond.
Use 'I have discovered your secret' or 'You have been caught'.
Usually, yes, but the level of trouble can range from 'teasing' to 'arrest'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Caught red-handed
synonymCaught in the act of doing something wrong.
Gotcha!
synonymI have caught you.
Found out
similarTo be discovered.
Blow one's cover
builds onTo reveal one's secret identity or purpose.
