scamper away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scamper away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something moving quickly and lightly, often in a playful or hurried manner. Example: "The rabbit saw the approaching fox and quickly scampered away into the bushes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He and his partner scamper away in defeat.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the slender fellows scamper away, to live and run another day, we assume.

The New Yorker

At the first recognition of danger, most snakes and lizards crawl or scamper away into the undergrowth; turtles and crocodiles plunge into water and sink out of sight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is investigating how the earliest dinosaurs moved — animals the size of house cats that would have had to scamper away from giant land crocodiles or end up as lunch.

The Washington Post

Moments later, as Arsenal attacked, five red-shirted players swarmed into the box, Ramsey chief among them, only for Anderlecht to scamper away through a vacated midfield and score a schoolboy-level, two-touch equaliser.

The Guardian - Sport

This elicits equally high-pitched squeals of delight from the children, who jump up and down with glee until the otters realise that we haven't got any food and scamper away.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Cassandro scampered away.

The New Yorker

"I see it, but it scampers away from the light".

The New Yorker

We scampered away from the window, back into the hallway.

The New York Times - Magazine

"O.K.!" Batman replies, then spins around and scampers away.

The New Yorker

Johnson sent Milner scampering away but he steered his effort the wrong side of the post.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scamper away" when you want to convey a sense of light, quick, and often playful movement, especially when something or someone is escaping or avoiding something.

Common error

Avoid using "scamper away" in formal writing or professional settings, as it can sound too informal or whimsical. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "retreat" or "hasten away" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scamper away" is that of an intransitive phrasal verb. Ludwig examples show it describing the action of quickly moving or fleeing, often in a playful or hurried manner. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Scamper away" is a phrasal verb that describes a quick and light movement, often with a playful or hurried connotation. As verified by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid using it in highly formal situations where alternatives like "retreat" or "hasten away" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "scamper away" when you want to convey a sense of quick, lighthearted escape or avoidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scurry off

Describes a hurried movement, often due to fear or urgency, but slightly less playful.

dart off

Emphasizes the suddenness and speed of the movement, often in a straight line.

bolt away

Suggests a very rapid movement, like an animal suddenly fleeing.

scuttle away

Describes a quick, shuffling movement, often used for small creatures.

dash off

Implies a sudden and quick departure, often without much planning.

hurry away

Indicates a quick movement done to avoid delay or get somewhere fast.

hasten away

Suggests a quick departure with a sense of purpose or urgency.

slip away

Suggests a quiet and unnoticed departure.

flee

Implies escaping from danger or a threatening situation.

retreat

Implies withdrawing from a position, often defensively.

FAQs

How to use "scamper away" in a sentence?

You can use "scamper away" to describe someone or something moving quickly and lightly, often to escape or avoid something. For example, "The mouse saw the cat and quickly "scampered away" into its hole."

What can I say instead of "scamper away"?

You can use alternatives like "dart off", "scurry off", or "dash off" depending on the context.

Is "scamper away" formal or informal?

"Scamper away" is generally considered an informal phrase. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "retreat" or "hasten away".

What is the difference between "scamper away" and "scurry away"?

Both phrases describe quick movement, but "scamper away" often implies a lighter, more playful movement, while "scurry away" suggests a more hurried or fearful escape.