hustle

To hustle is to do something quickly, work fast, or try to make money.

• The coach told the players on the field that they needed to hustle.
• Waiters and waitresses who hustle can make more money in tips from customers.
• You’ve got to hustle if you want to be successful.
• Salespeople who hustle can make a lot of money.
• Fans watching the soccer match noticed that the players on one of the teams didn’t seem to hustle, demonstrating that they didn’t really care whether they won or lost the game.
• The police arrested a young man who was hustling drugs on the street.

The word "hustle" can also function as a noun:

• The daily hustle of life in New York is too much for some people.
• The hustle and bustle of living in a city can be attractive to young people. (hustle and bustle = activity)

The word "hustler" is used when describing a person.

• Edgar is known as a hustler. He works hard and he works quickly.
• Oscar tried to make ends meet as a hustler, but he decided it was wiser to bring home an income from a regular, honest job. (Sometimes the word "hustler" describes a person engaged in slightly illegal activity.)

Salespeople who hustle can make a lot of money.

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Date of publication: October 10, 2016