hightails it
Leaves in haste
Hightails it means to leave quickly, often to escape trouble or avoid an unpleasant situation.
The image is of an animal—especially a horse or deer—raising its tail as it bolts: When the cops showed up, he hightailed it out of there.
The phrase suggests hasty, sometimes undignified retreat.
- skedaddleDepart hastily, often fearfully
- run awayDepart hastily to escape
- run for itFlee to escape
- fleeDepart swiftly from threat
- vamooseDepart hastily
escape · bolt · make tracks · make a break for it · dash · abscond · scram · beat it · beat a hasty retreat · take flight · retreat · leg it · clear out · speed · sprint · head for the hills · evade · race
hightails itstays put
Remains in place
stands one's ground · remains · lingers · sticks around · holds fast
hightails itlingers
Remains beyond expected time
loiters · bides one's time · hangs around · dallies · tarries
hightail, hightailed, hightailing, high, higher, highest, highly, highness, tail