Skedaddling

Skedaddling is an informal and often humorous term for leaving or departing quickly, often in a hurried or stealthy manner, usually to avoid a problem or an unpleasant situation. It implies a swift retreat, a hasty exit, and a possible element of fear, embarrassment, or evasion. The term suggests a sudden and decisive movement away from something undesirable. The term is typically used in spoken language and informal writing, conveying a lighthearted tone. It captures the action of a quick exit, leaving behind the current state of affairs without consideration for the consequences of such behavior.

Skedaddling meaning with examples

• When the rain started pouring and the picnic basket was left unattended, the kids, fearing soggy sandwiches, were skedaddling back to the car as fast as their little legs could carry them, leaving a trail of abandoned toys in their wake.
• Hearing her name called over the intercom, Sarah, realizing she was the next up for a highly embarrassing presentation, chose skedaddling out the fire escape over the prospect of public speaking, leaving a very bewildered audience.
• As the argument escalated between the two neighbors, threatening to turn into something worse, the dog, sensing the rising tension, made the quick decision of skedaddling into the house to hide under the safety of the sofa.
• The moment the teacher announced a surprise pop quiz on the material they hadn't studied, the students, one by one, started skedaddling out the back door, hoping to avoid the academic reckoning.
• During the bank robbery, once the alarm sounded, the robbers, abandoning their plan, grabbed the loot and started skedaddling out the back door, leaving behind a scene of chaos and a few confused hostages.