Definitions
Wiktionary
- v. idiomatic, intransitive To leave (a place) hastily (originally military).
- v. idiomatic, intransitive to abandon someone without warning.
- v. idiomatic, intransitive miss school, play truant, play hooky.
- v. idiomatic, transitive, of one's eyes To cause to bulge
- v. idiomatic, computing To crash or glitch
- n. military A rapid retreat, a rout.
WordNet 3.0
- v. bulge outward
Etymologies
- Attested 1950, popularized in the Korean War (1950–53) in such phrases as “bug-out fever” (rout) and “the big bug out” (November/December 1950 retreat) and entered civilian slang by mid 1950s. Likely originated in World War II, perhaps based on 1930s cartoons featuring bugs fleeing an impending foot or boot. Ultimately based on the rapid, disorderly flight of bugs when discovered, particularly their scattering if several are discovered at once, such as under a rock or can. Compare chicken out. (Wiktionary)
Examples
“What could I say to make Roz’s eyes bug out even more?”
“It would be immensely satisfying to see Andrews's eyes bug out and hear him choking on steel, maybe with his fingers scrabbling at the hilt while Del moved in on him.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘bug out’.
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phrasal verbs: OUT
turn out, age out, blank out, fade out, opt out, freak out, lash out, storm out, single out, wring out, chicken out, pig out and 72 more...
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beastly verbs
someone must already have this list?
squirrel away, worm it out of so..., pony up, fish for compliments, weasel out, badger, outfox, horse around, hound, cow, chicken out, goose and 99 more...
Tweets
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