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
Boom or bust to finish the season?
—
Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Oats also made a bet on Bethea after the former five-star underwhelmed on a bad Miami team, and that could go boom or bust.
—Cj Moore, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Seven-day workweeks or bust for these entrepreneurs.
—Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 12 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
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
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Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Oats also made a bet on Bethea after the former five-star underwhelmed on a bad Miami team, and that could go boom or bust.
—Cj Moore, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Seven-day workweeks or bust for these entrepreneurs.
—Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 12 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
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
Cite this Entry
“Or bust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/or%20bust. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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