Make Your Point > Archived Issues > SCUTTLE
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Today we're checking out scuttle, meaning both "running off with fast little steps" and "destroying something, as if it's a ship that you're sinking."
Recently we checked out another verb with two very different meanings: "to spend money at a place" and "to treat people like you're better than them." Could you recall this word? Bonus points if you can also explain why the two separate meanings arose. (The explanation is here, under "explore the archives.")
make your point with...
"SCUTTLE"
First, to scuttle is to move along with quick little steps.
Second, to scuttle a ship is to sink it by poking holes in it, so to scuttle something figuratively is to destroy it, as if it's a ship that you're sinking.
(Those two meanings have no connection. They arose separately.)
Pronunciation:
SKUT ull
Part of speech:
Verb.
For the first meaning, "scuttle" is an intransitive verb: someone or something scuttles.
For the second meaning, "scuttle" is a transitive verb: you scuttle something.
Other forms:
scuttled, scuttling
How to use it:
For the first meaning, pick "scuttle" instead of "scoot," "scamper," "scurry," "skitter," etc. when you want to emphasize hurried movement that's a bit awkward or undignified: the bunnies scuttled off, he scuttled down the hall, she scuttled away before I could ask her anything, let's scuttle away from this ridiculous situation.
For the second meaning, talk about people and things scuttling other things. Studies and discoveries can scuttle old theories, your plans and schemes can scuttle the events and laws and proposals and people you oppose, events and situations can scuttle your plans or your efforts, and so on.
examples:
Before visitors come over, I scuttle around the house, corralling toys into respectable piles and sweeping up dust no one probably would have noticed.
No, he didn't get accepted into the program the first time he applied, and no, he wasn't offered his first-choice job. But neither setback scuttled his career.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain both definitions in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "scuttle" means when you can explain it without saying "scamper" or "sink."
try it out:
Think of a time your plans fell apart. Fill in the blanks: "(I wanted to do something in particular), a plan scuttled by _____."
Example: "Around the beginning of December I usually make up my mind to eat healthier this holiday season, a plan scuttled by Chad's amazing Christmas cookies."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
This month, we're playing with the original and literal meanings of familiar words. I'll give you three words and their original or literal definitions, and you'll match them up. Easy! But then the following day, see if you can recall those old meanings. Hard! :) Our game has two purposes. One, we'll visit the interesting, thought-provoking old meanings of words. And two, we'll remind ourselves of a powerful learning strategy: delayed recalling. Let's play!
First, try to recall from yesterday the literal meanings of "cul-de-sac" and "comet" and the original meaning of "glory." Answers appear at the bottom of this issue.
Next, match these words to their original or literal definitions in the answer bank below:
1. "Courage" originally meant _____
2. "Strategy" literally means _____
3. "Disappoint" literally means _____
Answer bank:
A. "the heart."
B. "to remove someone from an appointed office."
C. "command of a general."
review today's word:
1. The opposite of SCUTTLED is
A. ALOFT
B. AFLOAT
C. UNDERGROUND
2. Board members scuttled the program, calling it _____.
A. unsound
B. nostalgic
C. promising
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to game questions:
1. "Glory" originally meant "a boastful spirit."
2. "Cul-de-sac" literally means "the bottom of a sack."
3. "Comet" literally means "long-haired star."
Answers to review questions:
1. B
2. A
Today we're checking out scuttle, meaning both "running off with fast little steps" and "destroying something, as if it's a ship that you're sinking."
"SCUTTLE" First, to scuttle is to move along with quick little steps. Part of speech:
Before visitors come over, I scuttle around the house, corralling toys into respectable piles and sweeping up dust no one probably would have noticed.
Look away from the screen to explain both definitions in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "scuttle" means when you can explain it without saying "scamper" or "sink."
Think of a time your plans fell apart. Fill in the blanks: "(I wanted to do something in particular), a plan scuttled by _____."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. The opposite of SCUTTLED is
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com
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