scutter

A small crab scutters across the sandy beach.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A hurried, scampering run: "scutter" refers to a quick, often short, and somewhat clumsy or hurried movement, typically of a small animal or person.
   • A short, quick trip: In informal usage, it can also mean a brief, rapid journey or errand.

2. Verb:

   • To run with short, quick steps: To move hastily in a scampering or scurrying manner, often with a sense of urgency or slight disorder.
   • To hurry or dash: To move quickly, especially in a small, agitated way.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The mouse let out a scutter across the kitchen floor. (The mouse made a quick, scampering run.)
  • I need to make a scutter to the shop before it closes. (A brief, hurried trip.)

• Verb:

  • The children scuttered away when they heard the teacher coming. (They ran away with short, quick steps.)
  • The crab scuttered sideways along the sand. (The crab moved hastily in a sideward scamper.)

Advanced Usage

• "to scutter about": to move around in a busy, hurried way.

  • The ants scuttered about the picnic basket, gathering crumbs. (They moved busily and quickly.)

• "to scutter off": to depart hastily.

  • The rabbit scuttered off into the bushes at the sound of a twig snapping. (It hurried away.)

Variants and Related Words

• Scuttery (adj): characterized by quick, hurried movements.

  • The scuttery movements of the squirrel made it hard to photograph. (The squirrel moved in a quick, darting manner.)

• Scutterer (n): a person or thing that scutters.

  • The little dog was an energetic scutterer in the park. (A creature that moves with short, quick steps.)

Synonyms

• Scamper: to run quickly and lightly, often in a playful or excited way.
• Scurry: to move with quick, short steps, especially in a hurry.
• Dash: to run or move quickly and suddenly.
• Hustle: to move hurriedly and with purpose.

Phrasal Verbs

• Scutter along: to move forward in a quick, uneven way.

  • The hedgehog scuttered along the garden path. (It moved forward with short, quick steps.)

• Scutter away: to leave quickly, often to escape.

  • The lizard scuttered away when I approached. (It hurried off to safety.)

Related Idioms

• Scutter like a startled mouse: to move very quickly and nervously away from something.

  • When the door slammed, the cat scuttered like a startled mouse under the sofa. (It moved in a frightened, hurried manner.)

• A scutter of feet: a sound or sight of many people or animals moving hastily.

  • There was a scutter of feet as the students rushed to their next class. (A hurried, bustling movement of people.)