bug out
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bug out
1. To become very stressed or scared. Don't bug out about the flat tire—I'm calling a tow truck right now. She's bugging out about the wedding again, so go in there and tell her that everything will be OK. I don't understand why Stacey always bugs out before she has to give a presentation—she's great in front of an audience.
2. To widen. Typically used to describe someone's eyes (especially in moments of surprise, panic, etc.). Nancy's eyes bugged out when she saw that the dining room ceiling had collapsed. It was priceless—the kids' eyes totally bugged out when they walked into the party and saw a real live pony. My eyes bugged out when Jim said that we were being followed.
3. To leave a place hastily. We bugged out of the party when we heard sirens approaching. A: "I didn't see Alice this morning. B: "Oh, she bugged out because she was running late." If we don't bug out now, they'll think we had something to do with the prank.
4. To leave a location or retreat, as of military troops. We've been told to bug out before sundown. Listen, your group needs to bug out now—enemy troops are on the move toward your location. How are we supposed to bug out now that all these bombs are going off?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bug out
1. Sl. to pack up and leave or retreat. Orders are to bug out by oh-nine-hundred. Okay, everybody, move it! We're bugging out.
2. Sl. to get out of somewhere fast. I gotta find a way to bug out of here without getting caught. Okay, the downpour has stopped. Let's bug out.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
bug out
1. Bulge, as in The news will make her eyes bug out with astonishment. This expression was originally used literally for bulging eyes and later used more loosely as a sign of astonishment. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]
2. Leave, run out, as in This conference is a bore; I think I'll bug out. This usage originated as military slang for deserting and today is used more loosely. [Slang; c. 1950]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
bug out
v.
1. To grow large; bulge outward: Your eyes will bug out when you see my new car.
2. Slang To leave some place, usually in a hurry: They made it clear they didn't want me there, so I bugged out.
3. Slang To be frightened or confused: I'm afraid of the dark, so I was bugging out during the blackout.
4. Slang To cause someone to be frightened or confused: The thought of surgery bugs me out.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
bug out
1. in. to pack up and retreat. (Military, Korean War.) Orders are to bug out by oh-nine-hundred.
2. in. to get out of somewhere fast. I gotta find a way to bug out of here without getting caught.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.