Meaning & Definition of word "Hustle"

Hustle

/ˈhʌs.əl/

1. Energetic activity or effort, often in pursuit of a goal.
- Example: The hustle of city life can be exhausting yet exciting.
2. A scheme or fraud to obtain money or goods quickly.
- Example: The street performer had a hustle down pat to collect tips.

1. To move or act energetically and rapidly; to rush or hurry.
- Example: We need to hustle to get to the meeting on time.
2. To obtain something by forceful or aggressive means; to push oneself to get ahead.
- Example: She had to hustle her way to the top of the corporate ladder.
3. To engage in deceitful or fraudulent activities for monetary gain.
- Example: He was known to hustle people out of their money with con games.

Early 19th century; possibly from Dutch 'husselen' meaning 'to toss, shake'.

hustle and bustle:

A phrase referring to busy and noisy activity.

hustle up:

To hurry or move quickly.

give it a hustle:

To put in extra effort or urgency to accomplish a task.

hustler:

A person who works hard, especially in an aggressive or opportunistic manner.

bustle:

To move around in a busy, energetic way.

grind:

To work hard continuously over a period of time.

Meaning: To hustle in the context of business means to aggressively pursue opportunities.

Example Sentence: She really knows how to hustle in her career.

Meaning: To hustle someone can mean to con or trick them.

Example Sentence: Don’t let him hustle you out of your money.