rustle up

British  

verb

1. to prepare (a meal, snack, etc) rapidly, esp at short notice

2. to forage for and obtain

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rustle up Idioms  

1. Get together food or some other needed item with some effort, as in I don't know what we have but I'll rustle up a meal somehow, or You boys need to rustle up some wood for a campfire. The verb rustle here means “to assemble in a hurry.” [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rustle up

Do labor leaders really think they can’t rustle up a quarter of their members to ensure the union preserves its role in representing workers?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 22, 2026

In the months leading up to the conference, with Belem's few hotels full, organizers scrambled to rustle up delegate accommodation in private homes, universities and schools.

From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2025

Once the press gets wind that Mary’s marriage has ended, the gossip is relentless, and the one-time belle of the ball can’t rustle up so much as a small tea party.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2025

The musical’s producers — including Love Productions, owners of the madly popular television series in which everyday contestants rustle up strudels and rye buns and cherry jam roly-polys — tried several songwriters.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 20, 2023

I called her to my fist and we went into the meadow to rustle up breakfast for the guests.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George