The Archive

Etymology Journal · G

Going gangbusters

Meaning

Used to describe something that is performing exceptionally well or moving at a very high speed. It often refers to a business project or personal endeavor exceeding expectations.

Energetic, optimistic

Used in a sentence

  • Our new lemonade stand is going gangbusters this afternoon.
  • The business has been going gangbusters since we launched the new website.
  • Everything is going gangbusters at the office today.

The backstory

The phrase likely originated in the 1940s based on the popular radio show Gang Busters, which was known for its loud, fast-paced, and high-energy action sequences.

Heard in

Nationwide

Vibe check