Basted vs. Busted — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 26, 2024
Basted involves sewing with loose stitches, while busted means broken or caught in the act of wrongdoing.
Difference Between Basted and Busted
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Key Differences
Basting is a sewing technique that temporarily joins fabrics with loose stitches, intended for holding the fabric together before final stitching. On the other hand, busted often refers to something that has been broken, malfunctioning, or caught in the act of doing something wrong.
Basted stitches are easy to remove and are used in various sewing projects to ensure precision in the final construction of the garment. Whereas, being busted can lead to consequences such as needing repair for broken objects or facing legal or social repercussions for wrongdoing.
In sewing, basting can be done by hand or with a sewing machine, and it plays a crucial role in tailoring, quilting, and other fabric crafts to achieve the desired outcome. Meanwhile, getting busted can happen in numerous contexts, from machinery failure to being caught by law enforcement or authority figures.
Basting also helps in adjusting the placement or fit of a garment before final sewing, making it an essential step in creating well-fitted clothing. Busted, however, signifies a failure or an exposure, whether it's a device that stops working or a person being revealed for dishonest or illegal activities.
While basting is a temporary and reversible action in the process of creating or mending, busted denotes a more permanent and often negative state that requires fixing or rectification.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Sewing with loose, temporary stitches.
Broken, malfunctioning, or caught doing wrong.
Context
Sewing and tailoring.
General use, including law, social situations, and mechanical failures.
Purpose
To temporarily position fabrics.
To describe something broken or an act of being caught.
Consequences
Stitches are removed after serving their purpose.
Requires repair, legal action, or social consequences.
Process or Outcome
A step in a constructive process.
An end state requiring intervention.
Compare with Definitions
Basted
Used for fitting adjustments.
The tailor basted the sides to alter the dress's fit.
Busted
Caught in an act of wrongdoing.
They got busted for sneaking out at night.
Basted
Temporary stitching in sewing.
She basted the hem to check the length before final sewing.
Busted
A term for describing failure.
The plan was busted after unforeseen issues arose.
Basted
A method to ensure fabric placement.
Basted layers help in quilting patterns accurately.
Busted
Broken or not working.
The old clock was busted and beyond repair.
Basted
A preparatory step in sewing.
He basted the pieces together before applying the final stitches.
Busted
Describing something as useless.
That old car is totally busted and can't be driven.
Basted
Easily removable stitches.
After fitting, she removed the basted stitches effortlessly.
Busted
Exposed after hiding something.
The scandal busted wide open after the investigation.
Basted
To sew loosely with large running stitches so as to hold together temporarily.
Busted
Smashed or broken
Busted glass.
A busted rib.
Basted
To moisten (meat, for example) periodically with a liquid, such as melted butter or a sauce, especially while cooking.
Busted
Out of order; inoperable
A busted vending machine.
Basted
To beat vigorously; thrash
Basted the attacker with a club.
Busted
Bankrupt or out of funds
I'd offer to pay, but I'm busted.
Basted
To scold; berate.
Busted
Tamed or broken
A busted bronco.
Basted
Simple past tense and past participle of baste
Busted
(Slang) Placed under arrest.
Basted
Having been cooked by basting.
Busted
(often used in combination with an adjective) Having a certain type of bust breasts; cleavage.
Busted
(slang) Broke; having no money.
I'd like to help you, but I'm busted.
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!
Busted
(slang) Extremely ugly.
She was cute, but all her friends were busted.
Busted
(slang) Tired.
Busted
(slang) Broken.
Busted
Extremely overpowered.
Busted
Simple past tense and past participle of bust
Busted
Inoperable due to damage; broken; - of a machine; as, the coke machine is busted.
Busted
Arrested for committing a crime; - of a person; as, the rock star was busted for coke possession..
Busted
Same as demoted; - said especially of military rank, and often folowed by to; as, he was busted to corporal for being AWOL.
Busted
Same as exhausted; - of people.
Busted
(used informally especially of bones) fractured;
My arm is busted
I got my head busted in the fight
Can't play with a busted baseball bat
Busted
Suddenly and violently broken open especially from internal pressure (`busted' is an informal term for `burst');
A burst balloon
Burst pipes
Burst seams
A ruptured appendix
A busted balloon
Busted
Out of working order (`busted' is an informal substitute for `broken');
A broken washing machine
The coke machine is broken
The coke machine is busted
Common Curiosities
Are basted stitches only used in clothing?
No, basted stitches are used in various sewing projects, including quilting and upholstery.
What does basted mean in sewing?
Basted refers to temporary stitching used to hold fabric in place before final sewing.
Can basted stitches be seen in the final product?
No, basted stitches are removed once the final sewing is completed.
Is getting busted always related to illegal activities?
No, busted can also refer to something being broken or someone being caught in a general sense of wrongdoing.
How are basted stitches applied?
Basted stitches can be applied by hand or with a sewing machine, depending on the project's needs.
What does it mean when something is busted?
It means that something is broken, not functioning, or someone has been caught doing something wrong.
Can busted objects be repaired?
Yes, depending on the extent of the damage, busted objects can often be repaired.
Is basting necessary in sewing?
While not always necessary, basting is highly recommended for precision and accuracy in sewing projects.
Do all tailors use basting in their work?
Most tailors use basting as a critical step in ensuring accurate fitting and placement of fabrics.
What happens when you get busted by the police?
Getting busted by the police usually involves being caught in the act of a crime and possibly facing arrest.
Is basting a common technique in all forms of sewing?
Yes, basting is a fundamental technique used across different sewing disciplines for temporary placement and fitting.
Can you get busted for something you didn't do?
Yes, there are instances where individuals may be mistakenly caught or accused of wrongdoing they didn't commit.
What's the difference between being arrested and being busted?
Being busted can refer to the act of being caught, while being arrested involves the legal process of detainment by authorities.
Can basted stitches be permanent?
No, by definition, basted stitches are meant to be temporary and are removed after serving their purpose.
What does it mean if a plan gets busted?
It means that the plan has failed or encountered insurmountable problems.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
