bug out

1 to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening the ground soldiers bugged out just before the start of the aerial bombing Synonyms bolt, break, run, flee, fly, hightail (it), retreat, run away, run off, skedaddleRelated 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), skirrNear Antonyms beard, brave, confront, dare, defy, face; abide, dwell, hang around, linger, remain, stay, stick around, tarry

2 to leave a place often for another the strange visitor bugged out without so much as saying a word Synonyms bail, bail out, begone, book [slang], bugger off [British slang], bug off, go, buzz (off), clear off [chiefly British], clear out, cut out, depart, dig out, exit, get, get off, go off, move, pack (up or off), part, peel off, pike (out or off), pull out, push off, push on, quit, run along, sally (forth), scarper [British], shove (off), step (along), take off, vamoose, walk outRelated Words set out, start, strike out; abscond, decamp, escape, evacuate, flee, fly, get out, mizzle [chiefly British], run away, scat, scram, skip; go out, light out, step out; abandon, desert, forsake, vacate; emigrate; adjourn, remove, retire, retreat, withdrawNear Antonyms abide, dwell, lodge, remain, settle, stay, tarry; approach, close, near; hit, land, reachAntonyms arrive, come, show up, turn up