scuttle
word
Definition
To move quickly with short, hurried steps, like a small animal or person trying not to be seen. It can also mean to cause something (like a plan or a ship) to fail deliberately, but the first meaning is most common.
Usage & Nuances
Usually used for animals (like mice or crabs) but also for people moving quietly and quickly. Often suggests secrecy or nervousness. Not to be confused with 'scuttle' as a noun (a container or a hole in a ship). The verb is formal-neutral; less common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
The mouse scuttled across the floor.
basic
The children scuttled away when they heard the door open.
basic
A crab scuttled along the sand.
basic
She scuttled out of the office before her boss could see her.
natural
As soon as the lights came on, the cockroaches scuttled under the fridge.
natural
Don’t just scuttle away from the problem—face it!
natural