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Busted vs Screwed - What's the difference?

busted | screwed |

In slang|lang=en terms the difference between busted and screwed

is that busted is (slang) broken while screwed is (slang) beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; in imminent danger.

As adjectives the difference between busted and screwed

is that busted is (often used in combination with an adjective) having a certain type of bust or busted can be (slang) broke; having no money while screwed is (slang) beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; in imminent danger.

As verbs the difference between busted and screwed

is that busted is (bust) while screwed is (screw).

busted

English

Etymology 1

See bust (Etymology 1)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (often used in combination with an adjective) Having a certain type of bust .
  • Etymology 2

    See (Etymology 2)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (slang) Broke; having no money.
  • I'd like to help you, but I'm busted .
  • (slang) Caught in the act of doing something one shouldn't do.
  • I saw you take that cookie from the cookie jar! You're busted !
  • * 2009 , , “New Year” (essay), in The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You , ISBN 9781458775856, ReadHowYouWant.com (2010), page 66:
  • Plus, to be honest, the look on his face when he realized how very busted they were was worth far more than the fifty dollars I paid for their dinner.
  • (slang) Extremely ugly.
  • She was cute, but all her friends were busted .
  • * 2004 July 30, "Ms Pnoopie Pnats" (username), "talking about hot or not...", in alt.support.shyness, Usenet :
  • ok this gals bod is hot but her face is busted
  • (slang) Tired.
  • (slang) Broken.
  • Synonyms
    * (tired)

    Verb

    (head)
  • (bust)
  • Anagrams

    * *

    screwed

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (slang) beset with unfortunate circumstances that seem difficult or impossible to overcome; in imminent danger.
  • They found out about our betrayal, so now we're screwed .
  • (slang, British) intoxicated.
  • * James Joyce, Dubliners
  • Besides they were dreadfully afraid that Freddy Malins might turn up screwed . They would not wish for worlds that any of Mary Jane's pupils should see him under the influence

    Usage notes

    * Often employed as a bowdlerization, or substitution, for (fucked).

    Synonyms

    * (sense) fucked, dicked, shagged (British)

    Derived terms

    *

    See also

    * screwed up

    Usage notes

    Because the sexual act as a metaphor for domination is a frequent association for the term 'screwed', it is potentially offensive in polite circles.

    Verb

    (head)
  • (screw)
  • He screwed the boards together tightly.
    I got screwed at the swap meet yesterday.
  • * 1641 , Richard Chambers (merchant), quoted in Hannis Taylor, The Origin and Growth of the English Constitution: An Historical Treatise, Part II: The After-Growth of the Constitution , H.O. Houghton & Company (1889), p. 274,
  • […] merchants are in no part of the world so screwed as in England. In Turkey, they have more encouragement.

    References