bug out

present singular third person bugs out · participle present bugging out · participle past bugged out · past bugged out

1. intransitiveslangTo leave (a place) hastily.

   It's time I bugged out of this town: it ain't safe no more.

   1 more example

   Sir, the Prophet is bugging out. Request permission to engage!

   2004 November 9, Bungie, Halo 2, spoken by Miranda Keyes (Julie Benz), Microsoft Game Studios, Xbox, level/area: Metropolis

   1. intransitiveslangTo abandon someone without warning.

      I'm not gonna bug out on you, I promise.

   2. intransitiveslangTo miss school, play truant, play hooky.

      I go to Stockton High, but normally I bug out.

   3. intransitiveslangTo leave civilization to live off the grid; to escape an apocalypse or emergency by leaving the area.

      When it all goes down, you're gonna want to bug out.

      Antonyms: bug in

2. slangtransitiveTo cause to bulge.

   Kim Goodman holds the world record for bugging out her eyes.

3. intransitiveslangTo bulge; to protrude.

   The 3D imagery will make your eyes bug out.

4. intransitiveslangTo freak out, to go crazy, e.g. from worry.

   "That's 'cause I'm taking the train into the city right now," I said, "and she's bugging out about my missing it."

   2012 November 13, 50 Cent, Laura Moser, Playground, Penguin, →ISBN, page 89

   1 more example

   She gets her nails done every Friday, so I know she's bugging out by now because her polish has moved up from the cuticle just a tiny bit, indicating that her nails ain't fresh. “Mickey, how the hell I'm just gone walk up to someone and[…]

   2006 September 26, L. Divine, Drama High: The Fight, Dafina Young Adult, →ISBN

5. intransitiveslangcomputingTo crash or glitch.

   My PC keeps bugging out and rebooting for no reason.

plural bug outs

1. slanggovernmentA rapid retreat, a rout.

   Synonyms: retreat