Bust Your Rear End

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "bust your rear end" is a folksy threat of spanking or punishment. It’s a family-friendly way of warning someone they’ll get in trouble if they don’t behave.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

We'd probably hear 'get your hind end busted if...' growin' up. Still applies, I hear it nowadays, probably as a empty threat.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

We'd probably hear 'get your hind end busted if...' growin' up. Still applies, I hear it nowadays, probably as a empty threat.

Pronunciation

[BUST chur REER end]

Meaning & Usage

- To spank or punish (verb phrase, figurative)

Mae:

Why’s he quiet today?

Earl:

Teacher done bust his rear end yesterday.

- To scold or warn strongly (figurative)

Mae:

Kids still runnin’ wild?

Earl:

Yep, and I told ’em I’d bust their rear ends if they didn’t stop.

variations: bust your hind end

★ "Bust your rear end" is a toned-down way of saying "bust your butt." It’s strong enough to get attention but clean enough for parents and grandparents to use around kids. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Bust" has been American slang for "hit" or "break" since the 1800s. Coupled with "rear end," it became a colorful Southern and Appalachian threat for discipline.

Usage Notes

Still common in Southern and Appalachian family talk. Recognized elsewhere in the U.S., but strongly tied to country and folksy speech. Closely related to sayings like tan your hide and wear you out.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "bust cher rear’n." "Rear end" is often slurred together: "rear’n."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does it literally mean breaking someone’s rear end?

No - it’s figurative, a threat of spanking or discipline.

Is it rude?

Not really - it’s considered a family-friendly way of warning kids.

Do people still say it today?

Yes - especially in Southern/Appalachian households.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 18). Bust Your Rear End. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/bust-your-rear-end
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Bust Your Rear End." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/bust-your-rear-end.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Bust Your Rear End." HillbillySlang.com. September 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/bust-your-rear-end.

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