Meaning of or bust | Babel Free

Definitions

Used to indicate one's intention to do everything possible to achieve a goal, with failure being the only alternative.

US, informal

Equivalents

Examples

“Nearly half a lifetime I have⟳ lived in Laramie, with all the while a great longing to see⟳ the wonders of the Yellowstone— [...] so when the boys wrote along the wagon top "Park⟳ or Bust," that settled it, and we started July 4th, 1903.”

“Mr. [William Jennings] Bryan recognizes that he must win⟳ New York—"or bust." He went there straight from Des Moines and had a three-hour conference with the local leaders.”

“Here it was, in black and white: More than 50 percent of our membership Tenderfoot Scouts, about 25 percent Second Class, only 20 percent First Class or more! [...] Set⟳ a goal—something like⟳ "First Class or more before '54!" or, if you are more ambitious than that: "First Class or bust, by September Fu'st!"”

“The rush⟳ [the Pike's Peak Gold Rush⟳] took on new momentum. [...] Each day fresh emigrants left the outfitting places along the Missouri with signs on their wagons, "Pikes Peak or Bust." During the summer of 1859 a continuing flood⟳ of gold-seekers poured across the plains and on into the mountains to conquer the Front and Park⟳ Ranges.”

“In the fall⟳ of 1951, I was on my way to South Dakota State College in Brookings SD with Dale Pettyjohn in his Model⟳ A Ford. We painted the back of the Model⟳ A in white letters "SDSC or Bust".”

“For scores of African migrants, it's a case of "Europe or bust", no matter⟳ what Moroccan authorities throw⟳ at them in the way of detentions and being bussed hundreds of kilometres away.”

CEFR level