Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bug out

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.20 in modern English

Syllables: bug out
IPA

9

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To leave (a place) hastily.

Intransitive verb; Slang

verb

To leave (a place) hastily.

Intransitive verb; Slang

verb

To leave (a place) hastily.

Intransitive verb; Slang

verb

To leave (a place) hastily.

Intransitive verb; Slang

verb

To cause to bulge.

Slang; Transitive verb

verb

To bulge; to protrude.

Intransitive verb; Slang

verb

To freak out, to go crazy, e.g. from worry.

Intransitive verb; Slang

verb

To crash or glitch.

Intransitive verb; Slang

Example Sentences

"Sir, the Prophet is bugging out. Request permission to engage!"
"It's time I bugged out of this town: it ain't safe no more."
"I'm not gonna bug out on you, I promise."
"I go to Stockton High, but normally I bug out."
"When it all goes down, you're gonna want to bug out."
"Kim Goodman holds the world record for bugging out her eyes."

Etymology

Attested 1950, popularized in the Korean War (1950–53) in such phrases as “bug-out fever” (rout) and “the big bug out” (November/December 1950 retreat) and entered civilian slang by mid 1950s. Likely originated in World War II, perhaps based on 1930s cartoons featuring bugs fleeing an impending foot or boot. Ultimately based on the rapid, disorderly flight of bugs when discovered, particularly their scattering if several are discovered at once, such as under a rock or can. Compare chicken out and roach out.

Usage

Inflected Forms

bugs out (present, singular) bugging out (participle, present) bugged out (participle, past) bugged out (past) bug outs (plural)

Phrases

bug-out bag

Synonyms

retreat start protrude pop pop out bulge bulge out come out

Antonyms

bug in

Questions

What does bug out mean?: To leave (a place) hastily.
Where does bug out come from?: Attested 1950, popularized in the Korean War (1950–53) in such phrases as “bug-out fever” (rout) and “the big bug out” (November/December 1950 retreat) and entered civilian slang by mid 1950s. Likely originated in World War II, perhaps based on 1930s cartoons featuring bugs fleeing an impending foot or boot. Ultimately based on the rapid, disorderly flight of bugs when discovered, particularly their scattering if several are discovered at once, such as under a rock or can. Compare chicken out and roach out.

How to pronounce bug out

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