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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Origin of scupper

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

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 in 1880–85; 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

So, when you’re unpopular and increasingly irrelevant, you scupper the apparently sweet deal you have for your institution.
In Myanmar coup, Suu Kyi’s ouster heralds return to military rule|Shibani Mahtani, Timothy McLaughlin|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Its seasonal ad follows a young ballerina who never stops training in pursuit of her goal after her dreams of dancing a lead role are scuppered by the coronavirus.
‘It’s difficult to make the right call’: The many faces of the U.K.’s coronavirus-era Christmas advertising|Seb Joseph|November 12, 2020|Digiday
Although many of its recommendations were initially scuppered by political backbiting, it would become a lasting argument for the government’s role in funding science to address the country’s most critical challenges.
America’s technological leadership is at stake in this election|Gideon Lichfield|October 29, 2020|MIT Technology Review
The bid was expected to be approved before it was scuppered by the phone hacking scandal this summer.
Sir Harold Evans Fights Back Against Rupert Murdoch at Leveson Inquiry|Mike Giglio|May 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Alas, the filming of Roman Holiday went on too long and scuppered the wedding plans entirely.
Audrey's Blockbuster Auction|Olivia Cole|December 9, 2009|DAILY BEAST
He was in command of the post, and Major Mallery and the other officers with him might be scuppered.
Cupid in Africa|P. C. Wren
This information is wanted badly, remember, and you mustn't risk getting scuppered with it.
Air Men o' War|Boyd Cable
But a water-tight cockpit, unless it is well-scuppered and really self-bailing, is of little use.
On Yachts and Yacht Handling|Thomas Fleming Day
The Huns had scuppered this battery and ransacked their dug-outs.
Pushed and the Return Push|George Herbert Fosdike Nichols, (AKA Quex)
"Blacker thinks we ought to have temporised, and that we shall get scuppered," said Luttrell.
The Summons|A.E.W. Mason

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