skedaddled
Beat a retreat
Skedaddled is the past tense of skedaddle, meaning to leave hurriedly or flee in a panic.
The word has a playful, informal quality despite often describing genuine retreat: When the cops showed up, everyone skedaddled.
It emerged during the American Civil War, possibly from military slang for hasty retreat.
Fastened or fled suddenly
- decampedDeparted suddenly, often secretly
- abscondedDeparted secretly, furtively
- vamoosedDeparted hastily
- hightailedDeparted with urgency
scampered · escaped · retreated · evacuated · departed · withdrew · vanished · disappeared
Departed hastily
bolted
Fastened or fled suddenly
- decampedDeparted suddenly, often secretly
- abscondedDeparted secretly, furtively
- vamoosedDeparted hastily
hightailed · scampered · escaped · retreated · evacuated · departed · withdrew · vanished · disappeared · split
vamoosed
Departed hastily
rushed
Done with excessive speed
dashed · raced · zoomed · sped · tore · scrambled · hastened · galloped · charged · rocketed
spooked
Frightened into alertness
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- alarmedFeeling sudden fear
scared · terrified · panicked · rattled · shaken · nervous · anxious · frantic · desperate · fearful
skedaddledstayed
Continued being present
remained · lingered · stuck around · tarried · stayed put