hustle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "hustle" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to work energetically and determinedly to achieve a goal. For example, "The entrepreneur was determined to make her business successful, so she hustled for weeks to find funding to get it off the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rooms from £140 (marrakech-riad.co.uk/riad-star-homepage/) Le Palais Paysan This modern retreat opened in the foothills of the Atlas mountains this summer, offering respite from the heat and hustle of Marrakech, 25km away.

The Guardian - Travel

We really haven't had that whole team effort and that whole team hustle that I think we've had in the prior years.

The Guardian - Sport

Cities are full of hidden gems, and the hustle and bustle of daily life can make it difficult to pay attention to them.

The Guardian

Out of the Furnace is another awards contender barely blessed with actual nominations, but a cast including Christian Bale (who is nominated, albeit for American Hustle) and Casey Affleck may help punch it through.

The Guardian - Film

The film is lagging far behind the Scorsese and Russell films in the US, having grossed $43.6m £26.3mm) there, as against $98.6m for Wolf and $127m for Hustle.

The Guardian - Film

American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave have had a series of boosts in recent weeks, winning nominations from the Producers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America.

The Guardian - Film

No matter the skywalk, you can find people leaning on the railings, talking to their loved ones, taking a smoking break (although it's illegal in public spaces), waiting for friends, reading a newspaper or taking an afternoon stroll above the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Guardian

Whereas here in the UK, an aggressive campaign by eOne has seen the film expand to a broad 481 cinemas, achieving £11.0m so far, dead level with both Wolf and Hustle.

The Guardian - Film

Many of the riads in Marrakech have roof terraces where you can laze together, glass of wine in hand, watching the sun set over the rooftops, while the hustle and bustle carries on in the streets below.

The Guardian - Travel

Just take a moment to think about that one: in the premiere episode of a brand new series, women are explicitly told to hustle themselves out to men as quickly as possible should they want to enjoy the great honor and pleasure that is staying in "Paradise" (or, what appears to be a hostel-style resort in Tulum).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But that doesn't mean it will News: Gravity and Hustle on 10, Slave on nine Gallery: nominees by nominations Liveblog: as it happened Full list of nominations  Tom Shone: why Oscar snubs are just a myth.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hustle", consider the context to ensure the connotation aligns with your intended meaning. It can imply either positive industriousness or questionable tactics.

Common error

Avoid using "hustle" when a more straightforward term like "work diligently" or "pursue aggressively" would be clearer and avoid unintended negative implications.

Linguistic Context

The word "hustle" functions primarily as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it describes energetic effort or activity. As a noun, it refers to a state of busy activity or a potentially dishonest scheme. According to Ludwig, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "hustle" is a versatile term used to describe energetic activity or, sometimes, deceptive practices. Ludwig AI indicates that "hustle" is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. As demonstrated by numerous examples from news and business sources, "hustle" can refer to both legitimate efforts and questionable schemes. Understanding the context is essential to correctly interpret the intended meaning of "hustle", as it can range from positive industriousness to negative manipulation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work hard

Focuses on the effort and dedication involved.

exert oneself

Emphasizes the effort put into achieving something.

strive

Highlights the ambition and determination.

endeavor

Implies a serious and determined attempt.

go-getter

Describes someone actively pursuing success.

push oneself

Focuses on overcoming personal limits.

be a go-getter

Characterizes someone proactive and ambitious.

scheme

Implies strategic planning, sometimes with a negative connotation.

jostle

Refers to physical pushing or crowding.

deceive

Focuses on the act of misleading or tricking someone.

FAQs

How can I use "hustle" in a sentence?

You can use "hustle" to describe energetic work, as in "She had to "hustle" to meet the deadline", or to imply a deceptive practice, as in "He tried to "hustle" me into a bad deal".

What are some alternatives to "hustle"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "work hard", "strive", or "scheme".

Is it always appropriate to use the word "hustle"?

No, "hustle" can sometimes have a negative connotation, implying questionable or deceptive practices. Choose your words carefully to avoid unintended implications.

What's the difference between "hustle" and "work hard"?

"Work hard" generally refers to putting in effort, while "hustle" can imply a more aggressive, and sometimes opportunistic, approach to achieving a goal. It may suggest a sense of urgency or resourcefulness.