The phrase, evoking a rags-to-riches narrative intertwined with threat and dedication, suggests a person’s relentless pursuit of wealth, even within the face of potential failure. It implies a high-stakes situation the place the choice to reaching monetary success is perceived as dire, motivating excessive effort and unconventional methods.
Such an angle, whether or not actual or perceived, could be a potent driver of ambition and innovation. It could additionally encourage a willingness to take calculated dangers which will result in important rewards. Nonetheless, this mindset may additionally be related to a disregard for moral boundaries or societal penalties within the quest for monetary acquire. The historic context of such approaches typically includes intervals of fast financial change, deregulation, and elevated competitors.