busk

Everyday

1. To busk is to play music, sing, juggle or perform in a public place, such as a street or station, for money from people passing by. tree →
2. (informal) To busk it is to improvise, to do something without preparing. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life buskers perform in town centres and underground stations; people drop coins in a hat or guitar case, and some places need a permit. In music lessons busking is a way young musicians practise in public. Phrases: go busking, a busker, busk it.

Examples

• A man was busking with his guitar outside the station. tree →
• People threw coins into the busker's hat. tree →
• My big brother busks at the market on Saturdays. tree →
• You may need a licence to busk in some cities. tree →
• The juggler busked for the crowd in Covent Garden. tree →
• I forgot my notes, so I had to busk it. tree →
• She started busking at fifteen and is now a famous singer. tree →

Note

The person is a busker; the activity is busking. Forms: busked, busking. Mostly UK, Irish and Australian English, but understood everywhere.