scot-free
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See also: scotfree
English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- scotfree, scott free
- scotchfree, skot fre (both obsolete)
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English scotfre, from Old English scotfrēo (“scot-free; exempt from royal tax or imposts”), equivalent to scot (“payment; contribution; fine”) + -free.
Pronunciation[edit]
Adverb[edit]
scot-free (not comparable)
- (colloquial) Without consequences or penalties, to go free without payment.
- Synonym: beat the rap
- to get off scot-free
- 2021 September 5, Chris McGreal, “Opioids have killed 600,000 Americans. The Sacklers just got off scot-free”, in The Guardian[1]:
- Opioids have killed 600,000 Americans. The Sacklers just got off scot-free [title]
- 2022 August 4, Elizabeth Williamson, quoting Mark Bankston, “Jurors Award Sandy Hook Parents $4 Million in Damages”, in The New York Times[2], ISSN 0362-4331:
- He added: “It’s been a long journey, and it’s really, really nice to able[sic] to turn and look at my clients, and say ‘he can’t get off scot-free for this. He can’t. You had a defendant who went into that courtroom and said, ‘I think I should have to pay them a dollar.’ And this jury said no.”
- (archaic) Free of scot, free of tax.
Translations[edit]
without consequences or penalties
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free of scot; free of tax
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Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English words suffixed with -free
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- English terms with audio links
- English lemmas
- English adverbs
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