scott

get away scot-free

To escape from some predicament, accusation, or wrongdoing without incurring any penalty or punishment; to be acquitted of all charges for some crime or crimes. It sickens me that all these bankers that ruined our economy get away scot-free, even though they caused millions of people to suffer. Due to an error in the filing of evidence by police, the suspect ending up getting away scot-free. I can't believe the jury let that creep get away scot-free. How much more evidence did they need?

See also: away, get

get off scot-free

To escape punishment for a crime or wrongdoing; to be acquitted of charges for a crime. Mark's wealthy senator uncle influenced the jury, and he ended up getting off scot-free. My younger sister caused endless trouble as a child, but because she was the baby of the house, she usually got off scot-free. I can't believe the jury let that creep get off scot-free. How much more evidence did they need?

See also: get, off

go scot-free

To escape from some predicament, accusation, or wrongdoing without incurring any penalty or punishment; to be acquitted of all charges for some crime or crimes. It sickens me that all these bankers that ruined our economy get to go scot-free, while millions of people have suffered as a result. Due to an error in the filing of evidence by police, the suspect ending up going scot-free. I can't believe the jury let that creep go scot-free. How much more evidence did they need?

See also: go

Great Scott

An exclamation of surprise. Great Scott, I think we've finally blown the case wide open! A: "If you carry the five, then you can solve for X." B: "Great Scott, you're right, how did I not see that?" Great Scott, you've done it again! Congratulations on another election victory.

See also: great, Scott

walk away scot-free

To escape from some predicament, accusation, or wrongdoing without incurring any penalty or punishment; to be acquitted of all charges for some crime or crimes. It sickens me that all these bankers who ruined our economy get to walk away scot-free, while millions of people have suffered as a result. Due to an error in the filing of evidence by police, the suspect ended up walking away scot-free.

See also: away, walk

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

go scot-free

 and get off scot-free

to go unpunished; to be acquitted of a crime. (This scot is an old word meaning "tax" or "tax burden.") The thief went scot-free. Jane cheated on the test and got caught, but she got off scot-free.

See also: go

Great Scott!

Inf. an exclamation of shock or surprise. "Great Scott! You bought a truck!" shrieked Mary. Fred: The water heater just exploded! Bill: Great Scott! What do we do now? Fred: Looks like cold showers for a while.

See also: great

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.