scotch

¹ American  

[skoch] / skɒtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to put a definite end to; crush; stamp out; foil.

   to scotch a rumor; to scotch a plan.

2. to cut, gash, or score.

3. to injure so as to make harmless.

4. to block or prop with a wedge or chock.

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noun

1. a cut, gash, or score.

2. a block or wedge put under a wheel, barrel, etc., to prevent slipping.

scotch ² American  

[skoch] / skɒtʃ /

verb (used with object)

Masonry.

1. scutch.

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Scotch ³ American  

[skoch] / skɒtʃ /

adjective

1. (used outside of Scotland) of Scottish origin; resembling or regarded as characteristic of Scotland or the Scottish people.

   Scotch plaid.

2. Sometimes Offensive. of or relating to Scotland or its inhabitants; Scottish.

3. (usually lowercase) frugal; provident; thrifty.

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noun

1. (used with a plural verb) the inhabitants of Scotland; the Scots.

2. (often lowercase) Scotch whisky.

3. Sometimes Offensive. the English language as spoken in Scotland; Scots.

scotch ¹ British  

/ skɒtʃ /

verb

1. to put an end to; crush

   bad weather scotched our plans

2. archaic to injure so as to render harmless

3. obsolete to cut or score

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noun

1. archaic a gash; scratch

2. a line marked down, as for hopscotch

Scotch ² British  

/ skɒtʃ /

adjective

1. another word for Scottish

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noun

1. the Scots or their language

Scotch ³ British  

/ skɒtʃ /

noun

1. Also called: Scotch whisky.  whisky distilled esp from fermented malted barley and made in Scotland

2. a type of relatively mild beer

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scotch ⁴ British  

/ skɒtʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to block, prop, or prevent from moving with or as if with a wedge

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noun

1. a block or wedge to prevent motion

Usage

In the north of England and in Scotland, Scotch is not used outside fixed expressions such as Scotch whisky. The use of Scotch for Scots or Scottish is otherwise felt to be incorrect, esp when applied to people

Commonly Confused

The natives of Scotland refer to themselves as Scots or, in the singular, Scot, Scotsman, or Scotswoman. The related adjectives are Scottish or, less commonly, Scots. Scotch as a noun or adjective is objected to by the Scots except when used of whisky and in established phrases like Scotch egg and Scotch pine. In the United States, Scotch is often used in inforrmal speech and writing where the Scots themselves, or some Americans of Scottish descent, would prefer Scottish or Scots. The term Scotch-Irish is standard in the United States for the descendants of the Scots of Ulster who immigrated to America beginning in the 18th century.

Etymology

Origin of scotch¹

1375–1425; late Middle English scocche (noun and v.), perhaps blend of score and notch (> Anglo-French escocher )

Origin of Scotch³

First recorded in 1585–95; syncopated variant of Scottish

Explanation

Don't get your hopes up: The verb to scotch has nothing to do with the well-known liquor. Instead, it means to prevent or stop something from happening. To scotch is, most often, to prevent plans, efforts, or desires — as opposed to things — from coming about. You wouldn't say, for example, "turning off the flame is one way to scotch the steak." But you might say, "Our plans for spending the weekend camping in the mountains were scotched by the blizzard. No camping for us." Think of scotching as similar to throwing a wrench into someone's plans. Drinking Scotch is one way to scotch your efforts to remain sober.

Example Sentences

But a provincial official appeared to scotch such suggestions, telling AFP: "There are no security alerts of any kind".

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

“RIP mate, and I really hope they serve scotch eggs up there!”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2024

Watch his iconic scotch egg scene from The Office's 2003 Christmas special.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2024

She wears her power like a second skin and speaks a mid-Atlantic accent similar to the one Leigh used in “The Hudsucker Proxy,” only mellowed by casks of rare scotch and impatience with unrefined dullards.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2024

Those parties have a very international flair, what with the scotch whiskey, American LPs, and the embassy gossip.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• bring down curtain
• bring to an end
• crush
• end
• nip in the bud
• put a stop to
• put an end to
• put paid to
• put the lid on
• squelch
• stamp out