scupper

¹

[skuhp-er]

noun

1. Nautical.,  a drain at the edge of a deck exposed to the weather, for allowing accumulated water to drain away into the sea or into the bilges.

2. a drain, closed by one or two flaps, for allowing water from the sprinkler system of a factory or the like to run off a floor of the building to the exterior.

3. any opening in the side of a building, as in a parapet, for draining off rainwater.

scupper

²

[skuhp-er]

verb (used with object)

1. Informal.,  to prevent from happening or succeeding; ruin; wreck.

   The snowstorm scuppered our plans for the evening.

2. British.,  to sink (a vessel) deliberately; scuttle.

scupper

¹

/ ˈskʌpə /

noun

1. nautical a drain or spout allowing water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard

2. an opening in the side of a building for draining off water

3. a drain in a factory floor for running off the water from a sprinkler system

scupper

²

/ ˈskʌpə /

verb

1. slang,  to overwhelm, ruin, or disable

2. to sink (one's ship) deliberately

Word History and Origins

Origin of scupper¹

First recorded in 1475–85; Middle English skopor, scopper; further origin uncertain

Origin of scupper²

First recorded in 1880–85; originally British military slang “to massacre, slaughter”; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of scupper¹

C15 skopper, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to _scoop

Origin of scupper²

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The couple had been saving for their dream trip to New York since last Christmas, but Mrs Bujupi said it had been difficult due to something always coming up to "scupper our plans".

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Then he pivoted, alleging "internal and external" forces had been working to scupper the MindsEye launch.

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Britain's government vehemently denied Monday that it helped scupper a high-profile case involving two men accused of spying for China, as it comes under pressure over its stance towards Beijing.

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Cloudy skies have of course scuppered many a great night of stargazing.

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But defeat in the Carabao Cup has scuppered one possible route back into Europe.

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