scupper Hear it!

scupper Definition

scup·per (skupər)

noun

  1. an opening in a ship's side to allow water to run off the deck
  2. a similar outlet in a building, as for water to run off from a floor or roof

Etymology: LME via ? Anglo-Fr < OFr escopir, lit., to spit < VL *skuppire, of echoic orig.

transitive verb

Brit., Informal to wreck; ruin our plans were scuppered

scupper Usage Examples

Object

  • chance: I suspect this will scupper the chances of 1 or 2 of the transfer burning leaders.
  • deal: In buying terms tho you could scupper a deal by being a little too eager.
  • plan: Thus France was instrumental in scuppering plans to promote the free movement of services within the EU.
  • attempt: Britain scuppers all attempts at an agreed solution Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean government persisted in its efforts to solve the land question amicably.
  • project: I hope that a vocal minority will not scupper the Crowness project for the rest of us.
  • agreement: Every time they get close something else comes up & scuppers an agreement.

Subject

  • weather: Even if they can provide the power to move the airship, the whole project could be scuppered by the British weather.
  • fact: This trial has been scuppered by the fact that Network Rail has increased the pathing charge by 40 % for electric services.

Adjective modifier

lee: Every morning except when, the moon was large I got a bountiful supply by merely picking them up from the lee scuppers.

Modifies a noun

hole: Ocean Kayaks are designed with scupper holes in the cockpit which direct water out to keep the kayak from being swamped.

Modifying Another Word

  • nearly: Even if the very person training him was the same man who slashed the tool kit and nearly scuppered his qualification dive.
  • also: These included being knocked out, also scuppered, but " scuppered " means killed and so does " knocked out " .
  • completely: If not reversed, he said " it would completely scupper any bid " by the United States for the Summer or Winter Games.
  • rather: We usually go to Church on Christmas Day, but the late start rather scuppered it this year.
  • yet: The politicization of relief complicates the provision of aid, and may yet scupper the effective reconstruction of Iraq.

Used with why or when

  • when: Our plans for a bike ride were well and truly scuppered when the snow fell for about 10 continuous hours.
  • what: It isn't long before his desires become inexorable and he sets out to scupper what he can't have leading to an explosive nail-biting climax.

Preposition: by

  • weather: Even if they can provide the power to move the airship, the whole project could be scuppered by the British weather.
  • fact: This trial has been scuppered by the fact that Network Rail has increased the pathing charge by 40 % for electric services.

Browse dictionary entries near scupper

  1. scup
  2. scunner
  3. scungilli
  4. scummy
  5. scumble
  6. scumbag
  7. scum
  8. sculpturesque
  9. sculptured
  10. sculpture
  1. scuppernong
  2. scurf
  3. scurrile
  4. scurrility
  5. scurrilous
  6. scurry
  7. scurvy
  8. scurvy grass
  9. scut
  10. scut work