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Glite Dictionary
to scarper

to scarper

1 9.7
To run away quickly to avoid trouble
  • verb
  • /ˈskɑːrpər/
  • UK
: escapar
  • After realizing the police were chasing him, he quickly scarpered down the alley.

Examples

  • I'll explain to lnspector Cox that his suspect has scarpered 'cause of your blundering.

    Layer Cake (2004)

  • Got a local girl in trouble and scarpered.

    An Awfully Big Adventure (1995)

  • Why did he scarper?

    O Lucky Man! (1973)

  • So the bobbies came come running over and the other lads scarpered, but me and him just stayed.

  • The lads jumped out of their skin and scarpered (ran off) down the canal path and left the crew in peace.

    Blog text (8)

  • They spotted the angry dog and scarpered out of the yard as fast as they could.

  • When the fire alarm went off, the students scarpered from the classroom in a panic.

Synonyms

to run
vsto scarper
∞ 1.0

To move a boat fast in the same direction as the wind

centres on quick leaving to avoid trouble rather than general running
to escape
vsto scarper
∞ 1.0

To get away from a place where you are kept or are in danger

is focused on quick departure often to avoid trouble specifically
to run away
vsto scarper
907 1.6

To leave secretly and quickly to get away from danger or control

is chiefly about quick departure often to escape trouble
to flee
vsto scarper
583 2.4

To run away from a place because it is dangerous

is similar but can also mean leaving for less extreme trouble
to run off
vsto scarper
  • Informal
353 3.7

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

is similar but does not require taking others or items
to bolt
vsto scarper
78 2.3

To run away suddenly to escape danger

is similar but may lack the sense of pursuit
to make a run for it
vsto scarper
  • Informal
35 5.3

To try to escape quickly, often by running

is broader, covering quick leaving without high personal risk
to break away
vsto scarper
27 3.6

To escape suddenly from control, capture, or a group

focuses on general quick leaving rather than escaping control only
to fled the scene
vsto scarper
25 4.4

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

is general quick leaving, not limited to avoiding arrest
to skedaddle
vsto scarper
  • Informal
20 9.3

To run away quickly because you are afraid

is the general act of quick leaving, not only from fear
to run out of town
vsto scarper
19 6.6

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

is a general quick departure, not necessarily due to disgrace
to hightail it
vsto scarper
  • Informal
17 8.4

To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

can mean quick leaving in general, not only risky cases
to run for the hills
vsto scarper
  • Informal
10 5.6

To leave a place quickly to escape danger or trouble

is more general and can include other urgent departures
to scat
vsto scarper
  • Archaic
8 9.1

Leave quickly, often because you are scared

is similar but used more as a general quick departure
to bolt out
vsto scarper
  • Informal
7 4.9

Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared

can be abrupt but not always caused by surprise
to turn tail
vsto scarper
7 7.0

To run away quickly because you are afraid

is broader, covering quick leaving even without fear or defeat
to bug-out
vsto scarper
  • Slang
7 8.2

To leave a place quickly to escape danger

can mean any quick escape, not only formal evacuations
to high-tail
vsto scarper
  • Informal
6 8.0

To leave a place very quickly to avoid danger or trouble

covers rapid leaving but also less urgent escapes
to head for the hills
vsto scarper
  • Informal
5 7.8

To run away quickly to escape danger

is similar but may not imply moving toward a safe place
to rush away
vsto scarper
4 2.5

Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry

is about leaving fast often with the aim to escape trouble
to fly the coop
vsto scarper
  • Informal
4 7.9

To leave a place suddenly without permission

is about quick leaving in many places, not only forbidden ones
to lam
vsto scarper
  • Slang
1 9.9

To run away quickly to avoid being caught by the police

is about quick leaving more generally, not just from police
to skidoo
vsto scarper
  • Archaic
1 9.1

To leave quickly to avoid trouble or attention

is broader, including quick leaving for many reasons
to take to the woods
vsto scarper
  • Informal
1 8.6

Run quickly into the woods to escape danger

is like this but is not always driven by panic
to run for one's life
vsto scarper
  • Informal
1 3.9

Get away very quickly to avoid being hurt

can mean fleeing danger but also milder urgent leaving
to take to one's heels
vsto scarper
  • Informal
6.1

Run away quickly to escape danger or trouble

covers fast leaving but also calmer quick departures
to bunk
vsto scarper
  • UK
9.6

To leave without paying, often on a bus or train

is broader, not limited to avoiding payment or duty

Antonyms

to arrive
∞ 1.0

To reach a place, especially at the end of a journey

How Fast

to bolt
78 2.3
to scarper
  • UK
1 9.7
to run away
907 1.6
to leave
∞ 1.0
to walk away
876 3.5

Surface Forms

scarper infinitive
scarping present participle
scarpers third person singular
scarpered past
scarpered past participle

Etymology

Scarper is British slang for running away quickly. A helpful way to remember scarper is to think of the word scarce 'not here' — when you scarper you make yourself 'scarce' by leaving fast.