Meanings
plural busted valises
- USslangA person who has run out of money
"Two bucks! He asks me for two bucks! Sonny, I'm a busted valise."
1964 October 24, Gilbert Rogin, “At the Sea-Vue Arms”, in New Yorker, New York, page 631 more example
The sources described the natty Pomeranz as a fast talker but "a phony" and "a real busted valise" whose checks had a strong elastic snap to them.
1962 July 26, Edward Kirkman, Henry Lee, “DA Fears Gang's X Will Mark The Spot For Mr. X's Rubout”, in Daily News, New York, page 4 - USslangA person who has lost power or abilities; a has-been
They appear to be a vast improvement over the busted valises who were hired for so many jobs by Abe Beame.
1978 January 4, Pete Hamill, “Dear Ed: Take the Bronx and Staten Island, Too”, in Daily News, New York, page 4
Cite this entry
busted valise. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/busted%20valise
“busted valise.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/busted%20valise. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “busted valise,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/busted%20valise.
Source: busted valise on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.