scupper

¹

[ skuhp-er ]

noun

1. Nautical. a drain at the edge of a deck exposed to the weather, for allowing accumulated water to drain away into the sea or into the bilges. Compare freeing port.
2. a drain, closed by one or two flaps, for allowing water from the sprinkler system of a factory or the like to run off a floor of the building to the exterior.
3. any opening in the side of a building, as in a parapet, for draining off rainwater.

scupper

²

[ skuhp-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to prevent from happening or succeeding; ruin; wreck:

   The snowstorm scuppered our plans for the evening.

2. British. to sink (a vessel) deliberately; scuttle.

scupper

¹

/ ˈskʌpə /

verb

1. slang.
   to overwhelm, ruin, or disable
2. to sink (one's ship) deliberately

scupper

²

/ ˈskʌpə /

noun

1. nautical a drain or spout allowing water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
2. an opening in the side of a building for draining off water
3. a drain in a factory floor for running off the water from a sprinkler system

Word History and Origins

Origin of scupper¹

First recorded in 1475–85; Middle English skopor, scopper; further origin uncertain

Origin of scupper²

First recorded in 1880–85; originally British military slang “to massacre, slaughter”; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of scupper¹

C19: of unknown origin

Origin of scupper²

C15 skopper, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to scoop

Example Sentences

In "exceptional cases" this information might scupper a deal, though she believes it is more likely the buyer would ask the seller to compensate them for any losses that might come from the alleged behaviour.

From BBC

That was when Bourgi helped scupper the chances of the man who was for a time the runaway favourite, the conservative François Fillon.

From BBC

Inter Milan president Guiseppe Marotta says the club were close to signing Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland, 24, when he was 15, only for red tape to scupper the move.

From BBC

Egypt and Saudi Arabia also said the incident violated international law, with the former adding that Mr Ben-Gvir was seeking to scupper attempts to broker a Gaza ceasefire deal.

From BBC

Olympic athletes at the Games in Paris have spent years preparing for this year’s contest – and do not want to let a heatwave scupper their chances of medal success.

From BBC