Bug out — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb

Meaning & Definition of Bug out

Bug out (verb)

  1. to retreat during a military action; especially, to flee in panic
  2. to depart especially in a hurry

Bug out (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening

    "the ground soldiers bugged out just before the start of the aerial bombing"

    similar: bolt, break, flee, fly, hightail (it), retreat, run, run away, run off, skedaddle, beat a retreat, beat it, make tracks, turn tail
    related: abscond, clear out, decamp, elope, escape, get (away), get out, lam, light out, make off, mizzle (chiefly British), scarper (British), scat, scram, skip (out), skirr
    near: beard, brave, confront, dare, defy, face, abide, dwell, hang around, linger, remain, stay, stick around, tarry

  2. to leave a place often for another

    "the strange visitor bugged out without so much as saying a word"

    similar: bail, bail out, begone, book (slang), bug off, bugger off (British slang), buzz (off), clear off (chiefly British), clear out, cut out, depart, dig out, exit, get, get off, go, go off, move, pack (up or off), part, peel off, pike (out or off), pull out, push off, push on, quit, run along, sally (forth), scarper (British), shove (off), step (along), take off, vamoose, walk out, beat it, hit the road, pull stakes, take a hike, take a powder
    related: set out, start, strike out, abscond, decamp, escape, evacuate, flee, fly, get out, mizzle (chiefly British), run away, scat, scram, skip, go out, light out, step out, abandon, desert, forsake, vacate, emigrate, adjourn, remove, retire, retreat, withdraw
    opposite: arrive, come, show up, turn up
    near: abide, dwell, lodge, remain, settle, stay, tarry, approach, close, near, hit, land, reach

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bug out

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bug out:

Slang: book
British slang: bugger off
Chiefly British: clear off
British: scarper
bolt, break, flee, fly, hightail (it), retreat, run, run away, run off, skedaddle, bail, bail out, begone, bug off, buzz (off), clear out, cut out, depart, dig out, exit, get, get off, go, go off, move, pack (up or off), part, peel off, pike (out or off), pull out, push off, push on, quit, run along, sally (forth), shove (off), step (along), take off, vamoose, walk out

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Bug out

Words with the opposite meaning of Bug out:

arrive, come, show up, turn up

Related Words for Bug out

abscond, decamp, elope, escape, get (away), get out, lam, light out, make off, mizzle, scat, scram, skip (out), skirr, set out, start, strike out, evacuate, skip, go out, step out, abandon, desert, forsake, vacate, emigrate, adjourn, remove, retire, withdraw

Near Antonyms of Bug out

beard, brave, confront, dare, defy, face, abide, dwell, hang around, linger, remain, stay, stick around, tarry, lodge, settle, approach, close, near, hit, land, reach

Word Forms of Bug out

Inflections: bugged out, bugging out, bugs out

Derived words: bugout (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Bug out

origin unknown

First known use: 1950

Frequently Asked Questions about Bug out

What does "Bug out" mean?

"Bug out" means to retreat during a military action; especially, to flee in panic. As a verb, it is defined as: to retreat during a military action; especially, to flee in panic. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bug out"?

Other words for "Bug out" include bolt, break, flee, fly, hightail (it), retreat, run and run away. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bug out" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bug out"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bug out". Common alternatives include bolt, break, flee, fly, hightail (it), retreat, run, run away, run off and skedaddle.

What is the opposite of "Bug out"?

Antonyms of "Bug out" include arrive, come, show up and turn up. Near antonyms include beard, brave, confront and dare.

How do you use "Bug out" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bug out" in a sentence: "the ground soldiers bugged out just before the start of the aerial bombing"; "the strange visitor bugged out without so much as saying a word".

Is "Bug out" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Bug out" is a verb.

What is the origin of the word "Bug out"?

"Bug out" comes from origin unknown. First known use: 1950.

What is another word for "Bug out" meaning "to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening"?

When "Bug out" (verb) means to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening, synonyms include bolt, break, flee, fly, hightail (it) and retreat.