Scot-free
Suggest a CorrectionMeaning
Without punishment, payment, injury, or other adverse consequence. The first element is scot, not Scott. It can concern harm as well as formal punishment. Regional use: Old English in origin; now widespread.
Origin
Scot was an Old English and medieval noun for a tax, assessed payment, or communal contribution. Old English scotfreo meant exempt from such a payment. The expression broadened over time from literal financial exemption to escaping a penalty or harm of any kind. It has no etymological connection with Scotland, Scottish people, or a person named Scott, despite the tempting modern spelling association.
Research Sources
Variants
- Get off scot-free
Usage Examples
- The organizer paid a fine, but the contractor got off scot-free.
- No one should expect to damage the archive and walk away scot-free.
- The village escaped the storm almost scot-free.