Scarpers

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To leave or escape unexpectedly, often in a hurried manner; to abscond or flee from a situation or responsibility; to make a quick exit, typically to avoid detection or trouble
2. To depart suddenly, frequently with an implication of stealth or discretion; to run away from an obligation or place without notifying others; to perform a swift getaway, commonly associated with avoiding confrontation
3. To exit rapidly, particularly in a secretive way; to abandon a duty or location in haste; to take off quickly, usually to evade rules or individuals

Etymology: "Scarper" is a Victorian-era slang word whose path into English runs through Italy and a London rhyming joke. It was probably borrowed from Italian "scappare", meaning to run away or escape, which in turn came from Vulgar Latin "excappāre", built from the prefix "ex-" (away) and "cappa" (a cloak or hood). Its ultimate link to the Latin word for head is uncertain, though it may trace back to "caput". The most colourful twist came around World War I, when Cockney rhyming slang supplied a new influence. "Scapa Flow" rhymed with "go", so "to go" became shorthand for the phrase, and the English verb picked up a sense of hurrying off, which helped shape its modern feel. The verb is the original; the noun is derived from it.

Synonyms: flee, run away, escape, bolt, abscond

Antonyms: approach, arrive, stay, linger, remain