Dus

verb DUS dʌs

Also spelled dus', duss, dust

Beyond meaning 'dust', in Patois 'dus' also means to move very fast, to speed off, or to outrun and leave someone far behind — kicking up dust as you go. 'Him dus weh' means he sped off, took off in a flash, and to 'dus' a rival in a race is to leave them eating your dust. The word turns the image of dust flying up behind a speeding runner or car into a lively verb for sheer speed and getaway, common in talk of racing, chasing, and making a quick escape.

  • Di car dus weh dung di road.

    The car sped off down the road.

  • Him dus di whole a dem inna di race.

    He left them all far behind in the race.

  • As she see di rain, she dus gaan home.

    As soon as she saw the rain, she rushed off home.

From 'dust' — the image of kicking up dust as you race off — extended to mean to move fast or leave others behind.

Chiefly 'to speed off / outrun'; also literally to dust something. 'Dus weh' = take off quickly.