scot-free
Americanadjective
adverb
Etymology
Origin of scot-free
Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at scot, -free
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The second case for concern is the idea that the British are bringing the powerful to account while America is letting them off scot-free.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 23, 2026
"We need to plug the loopholes that allow these men to get away scot-free," she said.
From BBC ● Feb. 10, 2026
But I also think about the alternative, which is for him to just walk away scot-free.
From Slate ● Sep. 7, 2024
Whereas Alex eventually pays the ultimate price for her sins in the film, as Jackson points out, Dan essentially gets off scot-free.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2023
I wanted people to know that no matter the outcome, no matter if this day ended up as just another protest and Officer Galluzzo got off scot-free, that I would never be the same person.
From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
