hustle Definition
hus·tle (hus′əl)
transitive verb -·tled, -·tling
- to push or knock about; shove or jostle in a rude, rough manner
- to force in a rough, hurried manner to hustle a rowdy customer out of a bar
- ☆ Informal to cause to be done, prepared, sent, etc. quickly or too quickly; hurry
- ☆ Slang to get, sell, victimize, etc. by aggressive, often dishonest means
Etymology: Du hutseln, husselen, to shake up (coins, lots), freq. of MDu hutsen, to shake
intransitive verb
- to push one's way; move hurriedly
- Informal to work or act rapidly or energetically
- ☆ Slang
- to obtain money by aggressive or dishonest means
- to work as a prostitute
noun
- the act of hustling; esp., rough jostling or shoving
- ☆ Informal energetic action or effort; drive
- ☆ Slang a way of making money, esp. a dishonest way
hustle* Synonyms
hustle*
v.
To hurry
act quickly, rush, push; see hasten 1, hurry 1, race 1, run 2, speed.To work zealously
do a thriving business, be conscientious, make many sales, apply oneself, do a good job, press one's business, give all one's energy to, at it all the time*, keep humming*, get on the ball*; see also work 1.To cheat
hustle Usage Examples
Converse of object
- escape: Or simply relax and escape the hustle of your world before your next flight.
- enjoy: Come and enjoy the hustle and bustle on the first Saturday of every month.
- watch: As Essara watched the daily hustle and bustle unfold he idly plucked his harp.
- leave: Reigate's stunning surrounding countryside offers the perfect tonic to relax and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
- experience: You can also experience the hustle and bustle of fish landings at the local market at the harbor.
- avoid: Khumjung would make an interesting alternative stopping place to Namche Bazar if trekkers wished to avoid the hustle and bustle of the bazaar.
Adjective modifier
- usual: So if you fancy some time away from life's usual hustle and bustle, Kent is the perfect choice.
- everyday: Its exposed beams and tranquil surroundings make it a perfect escape from the everyday office hustle and bustle.
Modifies a noun
bustle: Low flying aircraft kiss the roofs; the hustle bustle of cars on the ground.
Modifying Another Word
- away: Whilst found Not Guilty, he was hustled away to exile in a backwater post in North Africa.
- back: Magazine publishers, returning from business lunches, are hustling back to their skyscraper offices.
Noun used with modifier
day: What you see is the genuine day to day hustle and bustle of Morroccan life.
Followed by a transitive particle
off: This triggered a total over reaction from the police who hustled fans off into the car park.
Infinitive complement
get: I'm still here at the North Pole hustling to get Martin released from custody.
Preposition: of
- life: Just a two-hour drive from Toronto, this resort is a complete escape from the hustle of urban life.
- city: These apartments will be popular with middle-class Estonians and foreign buyers interested in a pleasant living environment away from the hustle of the city.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- along: Now, under the spreading canopy of the war against terror, this process is being hustled along.
- off: By now, the churchyard had emptied, the bishop no doubt hustled off to be plied with sherry at the local rectory.
- out: In the end Saints were hustled out of the cup by a home side who deserved their victory.
- around: If you don't your main memories of your trip will be hustling around, arranging and moving into lodging, and bus rides.

