Phrase guide

hightail it

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To hurry or run; often, to flee.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Canada, US, informal

Examples

  • He started to hightail it out of there, but I stopped him at the door.
  • The cat hightailed it out of the bushes.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hightail, move quickly, skedaddle, abscond, absquatulate, amscray, beat a retreat, beat it, beat feet, blow this popsicle stand, bolt, book it, dine and dash, do a bunk, do a flit, do a moonlight flit, do a runner, flee, fly the coop, jump, gas and dash, get lost, get out, gnash, head for the hills, hightail it, hit the road, kick rocks, leg it, make a break for it, make a run for it, make tracks, namous, peg it, rabbit, run a mile, run away, run for the hills, run off, scamper, scat, scarper, shemozzle, scram, smash and dash, take a powder, take flight, take off, take to one's heels, take to the hills, tear off, turn tail, vamoose

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

flee; take to one's heels; cut and run

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • If you see this man, run!
  • The burglars escaped before the police showed up

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: scat, run, scarper, turn tail, lam, run away, bunk, head for the hills, take to the woods, escape, fly the coop, break away

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: leave, go forth, go away

Narrower terms: flee, fly, take flight, skedaddle

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Russian: сваливать (svalivatʹ) — to hurry or run; often, to flee