scurried away
Rushed off quickly
Scurried away means departed quickly with short, hurried movements, suggesting haste driven by fear, urgency, or a desire to avoid notice.
The phrase evokes small creatures—mice, insects—but applies readily to people: The children scurried away when they heard footsteps, He scurried away before anyone could ask questions.
- ranMoved swiftly, past tense
- ran offDeparted hastily, often fleeing
- escapedGot away from confinement
- fledEscaped from danger
- disappearedCeased to exist visibly
took off running · slipped out · absconded · darted · bolted · whisked · dashed · evaded · scrambled · hightailed · high-tailed it · beat a hasty retreat · scuttled · avoided · retreated · skittered · dodged · evacuated
movement vs. stillness
scurried awaystayed put
Continued in place
lingered · remained · stood still · stayed · stayed behind