Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb idiomatic, intransitive To
leave (a place)hastily (originally military). - verb idiomatic, intransitive to
abandon someone without warning. - verb idiomatic, intransitive miss
school , playtruant ,play hooky . - verb idiomatic, transitive, of one's eyes To cause to
bulge - verb idiomatic, computing To
crash orglitch - noun military A rapid
retreat , arout .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb bulge outward
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word bug out.
Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.