1 B2 idiomatic informal
To evacuate or leave a location quickly in response to an emergency.
"When the wildfire changed direction, the whole town had to bug out within the hour."
inseparable
bug out
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To leave rapidly in an emergency, to panic, or (of eyes) to bulge with surprise.
In plain English
To get out fast, to panic, or for your eyes to go wide with shock.
What does "bug out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To panic or become overwhelmed with anxiety or fear.
"He totally bugged out when he heard the exam had been moved to tomorrow."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
(Of eyes) to bulge or protrude due to shock or surprise.
"Her eyes bugged out when she saw the price tag on the dress."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For insects or other creatures, 'bug out' could literally mean a bug leaving — but this is not the origin.
Actually means
To get out fast, to panic, or for your eyes to go wide with shock.
Usage tip
Has three distinct senses: military/survivalist evacuation, informal panicking, and a physical description of bulging eyes. The evacuation sense is common in prepper and military contexts. The eye-bulging sense is often used humorously.
Words that pair with "bug out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
eyes plan emergency quickly completely
How to conjugate "bug out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bug out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bugs out
he/she/it
Past simple
buged out
yesterday
Past participle
buged out
have + pp
-ing form
buging out
continuous
Hear "bug out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bug out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.