scram

¹ American  

[skram] / skræm /

verb (used without object)

Informal.

scrammed, scramming

1. to go away; get out (usually used as a command).

   I said I was busy, so scram.

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scram ² American  

[skram] / skræm /

noun

1. the rapid shutdown of a nuclear reactor in an emergency.

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verb (used with object)

1. to shut down (a nuclear reactor) rapidly in an emergency.

scram ¹ British  

/ skræm /

noun

1. an emergency shutdown of a nuclear reactor

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verb

1. (of a nuclear reactor) to shut down or be shut down in an emergency

scram ² British  

/ skræm /

verb

1. informal (intr; often imperative) to go away hastily; get out

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Etymology

Origin of scram¹

1925–30; probably shortened form of scramble (but compare German schramm, imperative singular of schrammen to depart)

Origin of scram²

1945–50; perhaps identical with scram ¹, though sense development is unclear

Example Sentences

In the minutes after the scram, warning lights had lit up and alarms had started blaring.

From Literature

Other Welsh words in the latest update of the OED include nobbling and scram.

From BBC

“And you know what they say. Finders keepers! Now scram and let me find my treasure!”

From Literature

Dasch was a real talker, enjoying the sound of his voice and peppering his conversations with American slang and idioms, such as "scram" and "sight for sore eyes."

From Literature

When Balanchine arrived in America in 1933, he knew three phrases: “OK kid,” “scram” and “one swell guy.”

From New York Times