"bust (someone's) chops"

[englishstudent]

Hi,

I looked up the meaning of "bust (someone's) chops"
in the link posted by Casiopea (Thanks Casiopea).

Here is what it says:

Idiom:
bust (someone's) chops
1. To scold or insult someone.
2. To disappoint or defeat someone.
3. To hold a building contractor to the letter of an agreement.

If it really means "to hold a building contractor to the letter of an agreement",
I wonder how one would use the idiom. I am familiar with "don't bust
my chops", but I am don't know how to use #3 above in a sentence.

Thanks

[mykwyner]

I think they mean to hold someone accountable for the smallest degree of detail in an agreement.

"You were supposed to have this done by noon."

"Don't bust my chops, it's 12:03."

[englishstudent]

I think they mean to hold someone accountable for the smallest degree of detail in an agreement.
"You were supposed to have this done by noon."
"Don't bust my chops, it's 12:03."

OK. I see. Thanks mykwyner. The person saying "You were
supposed to have this done by noon" is the one busting the
chops (ie holding the other person responsible).

The Italian slang "non me rompere palle" is what the contractor
would use in response, if the contractor happens to be an Italian. ;)

Thanks

[mykwyner]

You've got it.

[riverkid]

Hi,
I looked up the meaning of "bust (someone's) chops"
in the link posted by Casiopea (Thanks Casiopea).
Here is what it says:
Idiom:
bust (someone's) chops
3. To hold a building contractor to the letter of an agreement.
If it really means "to hold a building contractor to the letter of an agreement",
I wonder how one would use the idiom. I am familiar with "don't bust
my chops", but I am don't know how to use #3 above in a sentence.
Thanks

I don't think that the #3 defintion belongs under this heading. As Mykwyner noted, it's a possible response, but has the meaning ever been specific to building contractors. Something seems fishy.