scuttle

verb
UK: /ˈskʌtl/
US: /ˈskʌtl/

  1. To run with quick, short steps, often in a hurried or panicked way.

    1. The mouse saw the cat and began to scuttle away fast.
    2. Seeing the dark shadow, the children decided to scuttle back to the camp.

  2. To deliberately sink a ship by making holes in its hull.

    1. The captain made the decision to scuttle the ship to avoid capture.
    2. The old fishing boat was no longer seaworthy, so they decided to scuttle it.

  3. To abandon or destroy something, especially a plan or project.

    1. They had to scuttle their plans because of the bad weather.
    2. The scandal threatened to scuttle the entire deal before it could be finalized.

Synonyms

dash scurry bucket hatch abandon sink
scuttle noun

  1. A metal container for carrying coal, especially for a fireplace.

    1. He filled the scuttle with coal to keep the fire burning.
    2. The old scuttle sat beside the fireplace, filled with dark, lumpy coal.

  2. A hatch or small opening in the deck or side of a ship.

    1. The sailor climbed through the scuttle onto the deck.
    2. During the storm, they secured the scuttle to prevent water from entering.

  3. A hurried or disorganized rush.

    1. There was a scuttle when the alarm went off in the building.
    2. The sudden announcement caused a brief scuttle among the reporters present.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "scuttle" in English means: To run with quick, short steps, often in a hurried or panicked way., To deliberately sink a ship by making holes in its hull., To abandon or destroy something, especially a plan or project..

The phonetic transcription of "scuttle" is /ˈskʌtl/ in British English and /ˈskʌtl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "scuttle": dash, scurry, bucket, hatch, abandon, sink.

Example usage of "scuttle": "The mouse saw the cat and began to scuttle away fast.". More examples on the page.