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to bug-out

to bug-out

3 8.2
To leave a place quickly to escape danger
  • phrasal verb
  • /bʌɡ aʊt/
  • Slang
translation icon : salir corriendo
  • When the fire alarm rang, we had to bug out of the building quickly.

Packing the bag to bug out of here when the fire came.

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Examples

  • So they put so much emphasis on bugging out and going to their location, the safe house.

  • We gotta bug out, man!

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Packing the bag to bug out of here when the fire came.

  • "She looked at Chalmers, then shouted, "Bug out!" Within minutes, every person in the base was awake and working.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Our move toward improving our skill at backpacking has put us in a place that if for some reason we ever need to "bug out"... we probably could.

    Blog text (22)
  • Use that to buy a Jeep Cherokee and well, the idea was to steal enough money to bug out to Florianopolis, Brazil and set up shop down there.

  • It could take up to a week or three to take it all, except that when the terrorists see that the IDF is serious this time, I think they'll all bug out to Egypt.

    Blog text (19)
  • After hearing the warning about the storm, we decided to bug out before it hit.

  • The sudden outbreak of violence made everyone in the area bug out for their safety.

Synonyms

to get out
vsto bug-out
1.0

Leave a place or situation

is used when leaving quickly to escape danger or an emergency
to get out of here
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
3.0

Leave a place quickly or suddenly

is focused on leaving fast because of danger or an urgent emergency
to evacuate
vsto bug-out
344 4.1

To move people out of a place because it is dangerous, for example during a fire

is more about a single person leaving hurriedly to escape danger
to flee
vsto bug-out
331 2.4

To run away from a place because it is dangerous

is similar but emphasizes emergency escape rather than general flight
to run off
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
260 3.7

To leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying goodbye

is focused on solo urgent escape from danger rather than secret departure
to exit
vsto bug-out
125 1.0

To go out of a place or leave a situation

is specifically about urgent escape due to danger or emergencies
to run out
vsto bug-out
78 2.0

Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something

is specifically about leaving to escape danger or an emergency
to break out
vsto bug-out
51 3.6

To get free quickly from a place or situation, often from captivity

is broader, covering any quick leaving to avoid danger outside confinement
to rush off
vsto bug-out
20 3.8

Leave suddenly because you are in a hurry

is focused on escaping danger rather than mere haste or lack of prep
to hightail
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
18 8.3

To leave a place very quickly to escape danger or trouble

is similar but stresses leaving because of an emergency situation
to hightail it
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
16 8.4

To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is the same idea but often used for urgent emergency escape
to duck out
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
12 7.2

To leave a place quickly and quietly to avoid something you should do

is about immediate exit to escape danger rather than avoidance alone
to fly the coop
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
12 7.9

To leave a place suddenly without permission

is used more for urgent leaving to avoid danger or emergency
to fled the scene
vsto bug-out
11 4.4

Leave a place quickly to avoid being caught after causing or seeing trouble

is broader, covering any quick escape from danger or emergency
to hop out
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
11 2.8

To get out of a vehicle or place quickly with a small jump

is about leaving a place urgently to escape danger, not just exiting
to get out of Dodge
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
7 9.2

Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is specifically about fleeing because of danger or emergency
to bolt out
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
5 4.9

Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared

is about leaving with clear intent to escape danger or emergency
to bolt from
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
5 5.8

To leave a place suddenly and unexpectedly

is used when the leaving aims specifically to escape danger
to run out of town
vsto bug-out
5 6.6

Leave a place quickly because people are angry or you are in trouble

is more immediate and narrowly focused on escaping danger or harm
to high-tail
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
5 8.0

To leave a place very quickly to avoid danger or trouble

is used more generally for leaving fast to escape an emergency
to make tracks
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
5 7.2

Leave quickly to go somewhere or to avoid trouble

is more about escaping immediate danger or emergency situations
to vamoose
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
3 8.8

To leave quickly to avoid trouble or questions

is the standard term for urgent escape from danger or emergency
to rush away
vsto bug-out
2 2.5

Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry

is similar but specifically denotes escape from danger or emergencies
to blow town
vsto bug-out
  • Informal
2 9.8

To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble

is more narrowly about emergency escape from imminent danger
to evac
vsto bug-out
  • Jargon
1 8.1

To leave a place quickly to be safe

is more informal and personal, focused on urgent individual escape
to beat a retreat
vsto bug-out
1 6.0

To leave a place quickly to avoid danger or trouble

is more individual and urgent, focusing on emergency escape
to pop off
vsto bug-out
  • UK
1 7.9

To leave a place quickly, often without saying goodbye

is more tied to escaping danger or urgent emergency situations
to make a bolt
vsto bug-out
6.8

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

is focused on escape specifically from danger rather than surprise alone
to skidoo
vsto bug-out
  • Archaic
9.1

To leave quickly to avoid trouble or attention

is similar but used for clear emergency or danger escape
to beetle off
vsto bug-out
  • UK
9.8

To leave quickly and quietly without being noticed

is often louder or more urgent, emphasising escape from danger
to take your hook
vsto bug-out
  • Archaic
9.9

Leave a place quickly because you are not welcome

is used when leaving specifically to escape danger or emergencies

Antonyms

1.0

To remain in one place and not leave

How Fast

to bolt
69 2.3
to flee
331 2.4
to bug-out
  • Slang
3 8.2
to run
1.0
to depart
176 1.3
to leave
1.0

Surface Forms

bug-out infinitive
bugged out past
bugged out past participle
bugging out present participle
bug-outs third person singular

Morphology

bug-out = bug + out (semi-transparent) = bug + out

The phrasal verb is the primary construction; 'out' signals movement away but the slangy usage is idiomatic.

Etymology

To bug-out started in military speech meaning 'retreat quickly', imagining a bug scurrying off from danger, so to bug-out is to leave fast to stay safe.