rust
rust away
1. To become increasingly covered in rust. Why don't we finally sell that old car? It's just been rusting away in the street for the last two years.
2. To dissolve or disintegrate due to corrosion. The access panel completely has rusted away, exposing the sensitive electronics inside to the elements.
See also: away, rust
rust bucket
Any vehicle that is particularly old, unsophisticated, and dilapidated, especially a car; a clunker. Hyphenated when used as a modifier before a noun. When are you going to get rid of that old rust bucket and buy something you'll actually enjoy driving? I had my reservations climbing aboard the rust-bucket prop plane, but I have to say, it got us there with no issues whatsoever.
See also: bucket, rust
rust off
1. To erode and fall off or disintegrate as a result of rust. The iron gate is so old that the latch holding it shut has completely rusted off.
2. To cause something to become eroded by rust and fall off or disintegrate as a result. The briny sea air had rusted the metal siding right off.
See also: off, rust
rust out
1. To become thoroughly corroded by rust, especially as to cause something to be full of holes or no longer work correctly. I went to go put the pile of leaves and branches into the wheelbarrow, but the whole damn thing was rusted out! You see here? The engine block is totally rusted out, meaning we'll have the replace the whole thing.
2. To cause something to become thoroughly eaten through by rust. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "rust" and "out." Saltwater has rusted the hull out completely—the boat won't be seaworthy until you fix it. Because this part of the machine wasn't sealed correctly, moisture got in and rusted out the electronics.
See also: out, rust
rust up
1. To become thoroughly corroded by rust, especially as to cause something not to work or be able to move correctly. The nuts and bolts have all rusted up, so getting these brackets off is going to be a pain in the butt. You see here? The engine block is totally rusted up, meaning we'll have the replace the whole thing.
2. To cause something to become thoroughly corroded by rust. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "rust" and "up." You should have kept your bike in a shed or something, because the rain has rusted the chain up completely. The sea air in this town rusts up machines really badly, so we constantly have to have our things repaired or replaced.
See also: rust, up
the Rust Belt
A region of the northern United States characterized by a once-dominant industrial and manufacturing economy that has since declined. Unemployment rates are high across the country, but the Rust Belt continues to have the highest, as the manufacturing sector has been particularly slow to recover.
See also: belt, rust
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
It is better to wear out than to rust out.
Prov. It is better to work until you die than to be idle just because you are old. Nancy: Grandma, you shouldn't work so hard. You're not young anymore, you know. Grandmother: Thanks for your concern, dear, but I plan to keep working. It's better to wear out than to rust out. Bill: You really ought to relax. I'm afraid you'll kill yourself with too much work. Nancy: So what? It's better to wear out than to rust out.
See also: better, out, rust, wear
rust away
to dissolve away into rust. In a few years, this car will rust away if you don't take care of it. The bridge is rusting away, little by little.
See also: away, rust
rust belt
Fig. the industrial north of the United States. (Patterned on sun belt.) The economy in the rust belt is slowing down. The salt they put on the roads in the winter made my car all rusty. I guess that's why they call this area the rust belt.
See also: belt, rust
rust out
to develop holes or weak places owing to rust. Our hot water heater rusted out and flooded the basement.
See also: out, rust
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
rust up
v.
1. To become thoroughly corroded: The walls of the old ship had rusted up.
2. To become immobile or stuck due to corrosion: The bolts have rusted up; I can't remove them.
3. To cause something to be thoroughly corroded: Don't use these chemicals; they will rust up the tank. Exposure to salt rusted the fender up.
See also: rust, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
rust belt
n. the industrial north of the U.S. (Patterned on sun belt.) The salt they put on the roads in the winter made my car all rusty. I guess that’s why they call this area the rust belt.
See also: belt, rust
rust bucket
n. a naval destroyer; any ship. (Military.) Why don’t I ever get assigned to a new ship? It’s always some crummy rust bucket!
See also: bucket, rust
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- rust away
- mist over
- freeze over
- mist up
- ice up
- haze
- haze over
- rust out
- get wet
- rust up