Meaning & use

scarper

verb·Everyday

Last updated

To run away hastily, especially to escape from something (chiefly British informal).

See it in a sentence

The thieves scarpered as soon as the alarm sounded.

He scarpered before anyone could ask him to help clean up.

A note on using this word

Likely derived from Italian 'scappare' (to escape), possibly reinforced by Cockney rhyming slang 'Scapa Flow,' meaning 'go.'

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