scarper

verb

1. (UK, dated, slang, transitive)Chiefly in scarper the letty: to depart quickly or run away from (a place); to flee.

   “We were in debt with the landlady, and Joe and I had decided that none of us should be allowed to "scarper the letty," which means to sneak out of the lodgings without paying. The good lady might have to wait for her money—that was obvious—but we were stuck in Manchester until we could pay and get enough together to take us to a fresh district.”

   “jean: We can't all spend our time nailing our suitcases to the floor, and shin out of the window. / archie: Scarper the letty.”

2. (UK, intransitive, slang)To depart quickly; to escape, to flee, to run away.

   “A horse takes fright and "scarpers," or runs away.”

   “"Dowse the glims!" said he. Out went the lights, as he continued, "That sneak Whiskers have just blown the gaff to old Slow-Coach, and he'll be here in two two's to give you beans—so scarper, laddies—scarper!" Suiting the action to the word, he "scarpered" through the window into the garden, […]”

   “Now then, boys, scarpa!”

   “Just then a pair of guards on the beat came into view. The tramps scarpered, the street-traders pushing prams scarpered, half of Dublin scarpered as if they all had something to hide.”

   “[Sarah] Helm writes: 'As if she were some street criminal, ready to scarper, Ruth [Turner]'s home was swooped upon by [Assistant Commissioner John] Yates's men and she was forced to dress in the presence of a female police officer. Then there was a tip-off to the press.'”

noun

1. (UK, slang)Chiefly in do a scarper: an act of departing quickly or running away; an escape, a flight.

   “As a matter of fact we were all pritty flabergasted, for although we had all planned to do a scarper none of us realy thought we would have the guts to do it.”