Skedaddle

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /skɪˈdædÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -ædÉ™l

Origin

19th century US. Probably an alteration of British dialect scaddle ("to run off in a fright"), from the adjective scaddle ("wild, timid, skittish"), from Middle English scathel, skadylle ("harmful, fierce, wild"), of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skaði ("harm"). Possibly related to the Greek σκέδασις (skedasis, "scattering"), σκεδασμός (skedasmos, "dispersion"). (US) Possibly related to scud or scat.

Full definition of skedaddle

Verb

1. To move or run away quickly.The sheep skedaddled as soon as the shepherd’s dog came near.

Synonyms

• (move or run away quickly) flee, vamoose, scat, take off, make tracks, get lost