bug out
Depart in panic
Bug out means to leave quickly, especially to flee or evacuate.
Military slang originally: troops bug out when retreating hastily from a position.
The phrase now applies broadly to any rapid departure: We need to bug out before the storm hits.
Survivalist culture uses it for emergency evacuation—a bug-out bag contains supplies for quick escape.
Depart swiftly from threat
- evacuateLeave due to danger
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- abscondFlee to avoid capture
- vanishCease to be visible
disappear · depart · exit · withdraw · retreat · decamp · skedaddle · slip away
One who stockpiles for catastrophe
- bug out bagEmergency evacuation kit
- rationFixed allotted amount
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- shelterProtected place or structure
survive · forage · firestarter · water purification · compass · survivalist · knife · camouflage
Removal from danger
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- fleeDepart swiftly from threat
- relocateEstablish residence elsewhere
contingency · preparation · alarm · alert · exodus · catastrophe · urgency · escape
Strategically planned
- exfiltrateRemove covertly from hostile territory
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- disengageBreak free from attachment
fallback · extract · relocate · redeploy · maneuver · regroup · rendezvous · evacuation
Emotional response to threat
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- hysteriaUncontrollable emotional excess
- frenzyViolent mental agitation
agitation · distress · nervousness · apprehension · jitters · flight response · adrenaline · freak out
flee
Depart swiftly from threat
vanish · disappear · depart · exit · withdraw · retreat · decamp · skedaddle · slip away · break free
prepper
One who stockpiles for catastrophe
- bug out bagEmergency evacuation kit
- rationFixed allotted amount
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
shelter · survive · forage · firestarter · water purification · compass · survivalist · knife · camouflage · terrain
evacuation
Removal from danger
relocate · contingency · preparation · alarm · alert · exodus · catastrophe · urgency · escape · drill
tactical
Strategically planned
- exfiltrateRemove covertly from hostile territory
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
disengage · fallback · extract · relocate · redeploy · maneuver · regroup · rendezvous · evacuation · advance
fear
Emotional response to threat
frenzy · agitation · distress · nervousness · apprehension · jitters · flight response · adrenaline · freak out · lose it
- departuresleave, depart, exit, leaving, go
- escapeescape, flee, run away, get away, flight
- leavingdeparture, quit, walking away, withdrawing, bail
- MASHHawkeye, Klinger, Korea, Korean War, meatball surgery
- protrudeprotrude, jut, bulge, stick out, project
- retreatsspa, retreat house, meditation retreat, writing retreat, wellness retreat
bug outstand your ground
Refuse to back down
hold the line · dig in · hold fast · stand firm · engage