Definition

1. Noun:

   • A drain on a ship's deck: A "scupper" is an opening in the side of a ship's deck that allows water to drain overboard.

2. Verb:

   • To sink or destroy a ship deliberately: To "scupper" a ship is to intentionally cause it to sink.
   • To ruin or thwart a plan: To "scupper" something is to cause it to fail completely, often suddenly or unexpectedly.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The sailor checked the scupper to ensure it was clear of debris.
  • During the storm, water flowed freely through the scuppers.

• Verb:

  • The captain ordered them to scupper the vessel to prevent its capture.
  • The sudden budget cuts scuppered our plans for expansion.

Advanced Usage

• "To be scuppered": To be ruined or defeated.
  • The entire project was scuppered by a lack of funding.

Variants and Related Words

• Scuppered (adj.): Describes a plan or ship that has been ruined or sunk.
  • We were left with scuppered hopes.

Synonyms

• Noun (drain): Gutter, drainhole, outlet.
• Verb (ruin): Sabotage, wreck, thwart, sink, destroy.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "Scupper the deal": To cause a business agreement or arrangement to fail.
  • His last-minute demands scuppered the deal.

Noun

1. drain that allows water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard

Verb

1. put in a dangerous, disadvantageous, or difficult position
2. wait in hiding to attack