scupper

[ skuhp-er ]

/ ˈskʌp ər /

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noun

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.Compare freeing port.

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.

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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of scupper

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

Words nearby scupper

scungy, scunner, scunnered, Scunthorpe, scup, scupper, scuppernong, scur, scurf, scurfy, scurrile

Other definitions for scupper (2 of 2)

scupper²

[ skuhp-er ]

/ ˈskʌp ər /

verb (used with object)

Informal. to prevent from happening or succeeding; ruin; wreck: The snowstorm scuppered our plans for the evening.

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

Origin of scupper

First recorded in1880–85; originally British military slang “to massacre, slaughter”; further origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scupper in a sentence

That action has scuppered some of the IAB-backed group’s plans.
Activists are using ads to sneak real news to Russians about Ukraine|Chris Stokel-Walker|March 4, 2022|MIT Technology Review
Discussions to make testing free were scuppered in order to push people to book vaccines.
Europe’s Brutal Fourth Wave Shows We’re Just Not Ready for Normal|Barbie Latza Nadeau|July 23, 2021|The Daily Beast
Supply issues could scupper recent gains in New Zealand and Australia.
In the race between variants and vaccines, rich Asia-Pacific countries finally start their sprint|Michael E. Miller|June 4, 2021|Washington Post
As the equality movement found a renewed focus and determination, so its opponents ratcheted up their efforts to scupper it.
How Robin Williams’ Mrs. Doubtfire Won the Culture Wars|Tim Teeman|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The minister fears that now even lesser frictions could scupper the new agreement.
Taliban Slams Loya Jirga Bilateral Security Agreement|Ron Moreau & Sami Yousafzai|November 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The combers were crashing over the weather rail in solid cascades, and the scupper-ports were not large enough to carry it off.
The Viking Blood|Frederick William Wallace
Down from the forecastle roof tumbled Jack Cockrell and went sliding across the deck, heels over head, to fetch up in the scupper.
Blackbeard: Buccaneer|Ralph D. Paine
At that moment a tremendous sea struck the vessel, carrying the mate and myself into the lee scupper.
Torrey's Narrative|William Torrey
Stopping the scupper, the rolling of the vessel would wash the water and sand from one side to the other.
Torrey's Narrative|William Torrey
The rods had a sharp scupper on the outside of the big end so placed as also to throw the oil on this same thrust face.
The Wright Brothers' Engines and Their Design|Leonard S. Hobbs.

British Dictionary definitions for scupper (1 of 2)

scupper¹

/ (ˈskʌpə) /

noun

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

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

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

Word Origin for scupper

C15 skopper, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to scoop

British Dictionary definitions for scupper (2 of 2)

scupper²

/ (ˈskʌpə) /

verb (tr) British

slang to overwhelm, ruin, or disable

to sink (one's ship) deliberately

Word Origin for scupper

C19: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012