verb / noun
hustle
Obtaining money or valuables through deception.
The caller hustles money from strangers by promising fake prizes.
Etymology
The verb developed from pushing or bustling to energetic dealings and solicitation. Its dishonest sense specializes that pressure and activity to obtaining money through trickery.
More examples
- They hustled tourists out of cash with counterfeit tickets.
- Her investment hustle depends on fake account statements.
- These charity hustles collect donations that never reach anyone in need.
Forms
hustle · hustles · hustled · hustling
hustler noun — A person who cheats others for money.