scot-free

adjective

ˈskät-ˈfrē How to pronounce scot-free (audio)
: completely free from obligation, harm, or penalty

Examples of scot-free in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Just this week the FBI agent in charge of the Budapest office gunned down a corrupt Slovakian chief of police and got off scot-free without even causing an international incident! — Rich Heldenfels, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2025 Thanks to them the attack mastermind escaped scot-free and soon those who that day desecrated the Capitol and battered the police will be pardoned and will leap snarling back into society. — Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

scot

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scot-free was in 1528

Rhymes for scot-free

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Browse Nearby Words

scoter
scot-free
scotia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scot-free.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scot-free. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

scot-free

adjective
ˈskät-ˈfrē
: completely free from duty, harm, or penalty
get off scot-free
Etymology

from earlier scot "money owed"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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