Bust your gut

Meaning

Work extremely hard.

Usage

Used when praising strenuous labor.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Hyperbolic imagery of bursting a gut from effort.

Used popularly in the 20th century.