or bust
idiom
informal
—used to say that one will do everything possible to get somewhere
The sign on the car said "New Orleans or bust!"
Examples of or bust in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trying to be the first repeat champions in 25 years is incentive enough, but this is a team that is still championship or bust – especially after such a frustrating regular season.
—
Dennis Lin, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Play on the swing or slide, roast marshmallows by the campfire, or bust a move on the spinning dancefloor.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Regardless of the direction, incremental pricing swings are expected—and not any dramatic boom or bust.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025
Specifically two Solo Ops or bust.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Right now, the Heat’s leadership hierarchy, particularly with the loss of the veteran voice of Kevin Love, is Bam or bust.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 July 2025
The son of former Yankee Clay Bellinger, he was introduced to the organization’s championship or bust expectations at a young age.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
That mindset has always been a championship or bust mindset.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
With the threat of turning the resort into a timeshare and having to lay off everyone, Alejandro gets the crew ready for the fight of their lives—No. 1 or bust.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 July 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dennis Lin, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Play on the swing or slide, roast marshmallows by the campfire, or bust a move on the spinning dancefloor.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Regardless of the direction, incremental pricing swings are expected—and not any dramatic boom or bust.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025
Specifically two Solo Ops or bust.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Right now, the Heat’s leadership hierarchy, particularly with the loss of the veteran voice of Kevin Love, is Bam or bust.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 July 2025
The son of former Yankee Clay Bellinger, he was introduced to the organization’s championship or bust expectations at a young age.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
That mindset has always been a championship or bust mindset.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
With the threat of turning the resort into a timeshare and having to lay off everyone, Alejandro gets the crew ready for the fight of their lives—No. 1 or bust.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Or bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/or%20bust. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share