skedaddle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/InformalInformal, colloquial, humorous
Quick answer
What does “skedaddle” mean?
to depart quickly or hurriedly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to depart quickly or hurriedly; to run away, flee
to leave a place, situation, or obligation in a rapid, often undignified or panicked manner. It implies a hasty, perhaps unplanned exit, often to avoid something unpleasant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, though understood in British English. It has a slight 'Wild West' or old-fashioned American flavour.
Connotations
In American English, it can evoke a humorous, cowboy-era image. In British English, it sounds like an adopted Americanism used for comic effect.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties. Most commonly encountered in historical fiction, comedic contexts, or as a self-consciously playful word.
Grammar
How to Use “skedaddle” in a Sentence
Skedaddle (intransitive)Skedaddle out of/from [place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skedaddle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The children were told to skedaddle when the shopkeeper appeared.
- I think we should skedaddle before this rain gets any worse.
American English
- The outlaws skedaddled as soon as they heard the sheriff was coming.
- Party's over, folks—time to skedaddle on home.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Never used.
Everyday
Rare, used for humorous effect among friends or with children. e.g., 'It's getting late, kids, time to skedaddle.'
Technical
Never used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skedaddle”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it as a transitive verb (e.g., 'He skedaddled the town' is incorrect).
- Overusing it, making speech sound forced or silly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a real word with a long history (mid-19th century), but its register is firmly informal, colloquial, and now somewhat old-fashioned or humorous.
Absolutely not. It is far too informal and playful for any professional context.
Its etymology is uncertain but it first appeared widely during the American Civil War (1860s) meaning to flee or retreat. It may be an alteration of a Scottish dialect word or influenced by Greek 'skedannumi' (to scatter).
It originated and is primarily used in American English, though it is understood in other varieties.
to depart quickly or hurriedly.
Skedaddle is usually informal, colloquial, humorous in register.
Skedaddle: in British English it is pronounced /skɪˈdæd.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /skɪˈdæd.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Time to skedaddle!”
- “Skedaddle on out of here.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a scared ADDLE (like a saddle) on a horse—the rider shouts 'SKEDADDLE!' and the horse gallops away quickly.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPARTURE IS RAPID, UNCOORDINATED FLIGHT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'skedaddle' be LEAST appropriate?