bug out

AI In plain words

Writing a short explanation…

Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.

bug out

Where it comes from

Attested 1950, popularized in the Korean War (1950–53) in such phrases as “bug-out fever” (rout) and “the big bug out” (November/December 1950 retreat) and entered civilian slang by mid 1950s. Likely originated in World War II, perhaps based on 1930s cartoons featuring bugs fleeing an impending foot or boot. Ultimately based on the rapid, disorderly flight of bugs when discovered, particularly their scattering if several are discovered at once, such as under a rock or can. Compare chicken out and roach out.

verb bugs out · bugging out · bugged out

intransitive, slang To leave (a place) hastily. Sir, the Prophet is bugging out. Request permission to engage!
intransitive, slang To abandon someone without warning. I'm not gonna bug out on you, I promise.
intransitive, slang To miss school, play truant, play hooky. I go to Stockton High, but normally I bug out.
intransitive, slang To leave civilization to live off the grid; to escape an apocalypse or emergency by leaving the area. When it all goes down, you're gonna want to bug out.
Opposite: bug in
slang, transitive, of one's eyes To cause to bulge. Kim Goodman holds the world record for bugging out her eyes.
intransitive, slang, of eyes To bulge; to protrude. The 3D imagery will make your eyes bug out.
intransitive, slang To freak out, to go crazy, e.g. from worry. She gets her nails done every Friday, so I know she's bugging out by now because her polish has moved up from the cuticle just a tiny bit, indicating that her nails ain't fresh. “Mickey, how the hell I'm just gone walk up to someone and[…]
intransitive, slang To crash or glitch. My PC keeps bugging out and rebooting for no reason.

noun bug outs

slang A rapid retreat, a rout.
Similar: retreat

Talk about this word

Cite this

MLA

"bug out." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/bug%20out. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

bug out. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/bug%20out

Chicago

"bug out." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/bug%20out.

BibTeX

@misc{bug_out_2026,
  title = {bug out},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/bug%20out},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}