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Glite Dictionary
to scram

to scram

21 8.2
Leave a place right away, often because someone orders you to
  • verb
  • /skræm/
  • Informal
translation icon : largarse
  • "I think you better just scram," Glendora snapped.
  • Let's scram
  • Now scram
  • Go on, scram

Would you have any problem telling a miniature Ding Dong ditchers on your front porch to go scram?

Examples

  • So I'm telling you now—scram out of here.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • I said, "Sorry, Papa," and he hollered, "Scram if you know what's good for you," and I skated fast.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • We gotta scram before somebody calls in the Sheriff.

    Americana (2025)

  • I can drop these off and scram.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • We relied on the locals we met to guide us about where to be safe and when to scram.

    Blog text (1)

  • Casey just told him to scram.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "I said, scram!" Glendora shouted at him.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Go on, scram.

    Cry-Baby (1990)

  • Now scram!

    Parts: The Clonus Horror (1979)

  • You better scram before your parents find out you're here.

Synonyms

to fuck off
vsto scram
  • Offensive
104 9.9

Leave or tell someone to leave in a rude way

is informal and forceful but less vulgar and more widely acceptable
to scurry
vsto scram
54 3.1

To move quickly with short, hurried steps because you feel afraid or rushed

is an immediate verbal order rather than a description of gait
to scuttle
vsto scram
31 5.5

To move quickly with short hurried steps, often to hide or escape

is a direct command to leave now rather than furtive movement
to scoot
vsto scram
  • Informal
29 2.8

Move a short distance quickly, often to make room or hurry

is used more as a forceful order rather than playful or casual movement
to buzz off
vsto scram
  • Offensive
12 8.4

To tell someone to go away right away in a rude or angry way

is also an informal immediate order but with simpler, brisk tone
to bugger off
vsto scram
  • Offensive
12 9.9

Tell someone to go away immediately in a rude way

is equally informal but typically less regionally marked and slightly milder
to bolt out
vsto scram
  • Informal
5 4.9

Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared

is an abrupt instruction to leave rather than a reaction to surprise
to rush away
vsto scram
2 2.5

Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry

is similar but usually functions as an abrupt command rather than mere haste
to scat
vsto scram
  • Archaic
1 9.1

Leave quickly, often because you are scared

is similar but especially used as a sharp or abrupt order

Antonyms

to stay
∞ 1.0

To remain in one place and not leave

to arrive
∞ 1.0

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

How Fast

to scram
  • Informal
21 8.2
to get out
∞ 1.0
to leave
∞ 1.0
to go away
709 1.0

Surface Forms

scram infinitive
scrammed past
scrammed past participle
scramming present participle
scrams third person singular

Etymology

Scram is a short, informal shout that means 'leave quickly' or 'go away'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of it as a quick, sharp cousin of words like scramble or scat, which are about moving fast, so scram is used when you want someone to 'get out' right away.