scupper

[ skuhp-er ]

/ ˈskʌp ər /

verb (used with object) British.

Military. to overwhelm; surprise and destroy, disable, or massacre.

Informal. to prevent from happening or succeeding; ruin; wreck.

Words nearby scupper

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

Origin of scupper

First recorded in 1880–85; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for scuppered

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
"It's early days to conclude Durrance has got scuppered," said he.
The Four Feathers|A. E. W. Mason

The Huns had scuppered this battery and ransacked their dug-outs.
Pushed and the Return Push|George Herbert Fosdike Nichols, (AKA Quex)
"I don't think Durrance has got scuppered," said he, as he rose from his chair.
The Four Feathers|A. E. W. Mason
You would probably have all been scuppered if we had got up with the ole man.
On the Heels of De Wet|The Intelligence Officer

British Dictionary definitions for scuppered (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 scuppered (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