bug out

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See also: bugout

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

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.[1] Likely originated in World War II, perhaps based on 1930s cartoons featuring bugs fleeing an impending foot or boot.[2] 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.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • Audio (AU)(file)

Verb[edit]

bug out (third-person singular simple present bugs out, present participle bugging out, simple past and past participle bugged out)

  1. (slang, intransitive, originally military) To leave (a place) hastily.
    It's time I bugged out of this town: it ain't safe no more.
  2. (slang, intransitive) To abandon someone without warning.
    I'm not gonna bug out on you, I promise.
  3. (slang, intransitive) To miss school, play truant, play hooky.
    I go to Stockton High, but normally I bug out.
  4. (slang, transitive, of one's eyes) To cause to bulge.
    Kim Goodman holds the world record for bugging out her eyes.
  5. (slang, intransitive, of eyes) To bulge; to protrude.
    The 3D imagery will make your eyes bug out.
  6. (slang, intransitive) To freak out, to go crazy, e.g. from worry.
    • 2006 September 26, L. Divine, Drama High: The Fight, Dafina Young Adult, →ISBN:
      She gets her nails done every Friday, so I know she's bugging out by now because her polish has moved up from the cuticle just a tiny bit, indicating that her nails ain't fresh. “Mickey, how the hell I'm just gone walk up to someone and […]
    • 2012 November 13, 50 Cent, Laura Moser, Playground, Penguin, →ISBN, page 89:
      "That's 'cause I'm taking the train into the city right now," I said, "and she's bugging out about my missing it."
  7. (intransitive, slang, computing) To crash or glitch.
    My PC keeps bugging out and rebooting for no reason.

Derived terms[edit]

Noun[edit]

bug out (plural bug outs)

  1. (military, slang) A rapid retreat, a rout.

Synonyms[edit]

Related terms[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ “The term probably originated in World War II and came into wide use during the Korean War. By the mid-1950s it was also civilian slang.” Fighting Words: From War, Rebellion, and other Combative Capers by Christine Ammer (NTC Publishing Group, Chicago, Ill., 1989, 1999), page 44, quoted in The Phrase Finder, “Re: Bug out”, by ESC on April 23, 2004
  2. ^ Re: "Luke the gook," "Gook" and "Bug out", KOREAN-WAR-L, by John R. Carpenter, 5 Aug 2002
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