skedaddle

ske·dad·dle

verb \ski-ˈda-d^əl\

ske·dad·dledske·dad·dling\-ˈdad-liŋ, -ˈda-d^əl-iŋ\

Definition of SKEDADDLE

intransitive verb

: run away, scram; especially : to flee in a panic

— ske·dad·dler \-ˈdad-lər, -ˈda-d^əl-ər\ noun

Examples of SKEDADDLE

1. I've got to skedaddle or I'll be late.
2. <we skedaddled as soon as we saw the snake entering our campsite>

Origin of SKEDADDLE

probably alteration of British dialect scaddle to run off in a fright, from scaddle, adjective, wild, timid, skittish, from Middle English scathel, skadylle harmful, fierce, wild, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skathi harm — more at scathe

First Known Use: 1860

Related to SKEDADDLE

Synonyms: bolt, break, bug out, flee, fly, hightail (it), retreat, run away, run off, run

Related Words: abscond, clear out, decamp, elope, escape, get (away), get out, lam, light out, make off, mizzle [chiefly British], scarper [British], scat, scram, skip (out), skirr

Near Antonyms: beard, brave, confront, dare, defy, face; abide, dwell, hang around, linger, remain, stay, stick around, tarry

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Rhymes with SKEDADDLE

astraddle, dog paddle, gonadal, packsaddle, sidesaddle, unsaddle