scurry

scurry — verb

1. to move forward with quick, light steps, especially because you are in a hurry o

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to move forward with quick, light steps, especially because you are in a hurry or want to reach a place without delay.

例句

A mouse scurried across the kitchen floor when Trang turned on the light.

scurry across [surface]

The children scurried around the garden, collecting colourful autumn leaves for their project.

scurry around [place]

同義詞
  • scamper

    more playful and carefree, often used for children or animals at play

  • dash

    faster and more direct, suggesting a single burst of speed rather than many small steps

  • hustle

    emphasises energetic and purposeful movement, often with a sense of pushing or forcing one's way

反義詞
  • stroll

    suggests slow, relaxed walking with no sense of hurry

  • amble

    a leisurely, unhurried walk

文法句型

scurry + adverb/preposition (across, around, back, off, away)

用法筆記

This sense is most often used with a preposition or adverb that tells the direction of movement, such as across, around, back, off, through, or along. Common subjects include small animals and people who are in a noticeable hurry.

常見錯誤

❌He scurried to the station in five minutes.
✅He scurried to the station, taking quick little steps to catch his train.
💡'scurry' emphasises short, light steps and urgency, not just speed over time.
❌The car scurried down the road.
✅The mouse scurried down the road.
💡'scurry' is not used for vehicles; it describes animate beings moving with quick, small steps.

2. to move around quickly in a nervous or disorganised way, especially when feeling

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to move around quickly in a nervous or disorganised way, especially when feeling worried, confused, or under pressure to get things done.

例句

Staff scurried around the office, trying to finish the report before the deadline.

scurry around [place] for agitated activity

Yara scurried from room to room, searching for her passport before the flight.

同義詞
  • bustle

    suggests noisy, energetic activity with a sense of purpose, often with many people involved

  • hustle

    stronger sense of pushing forward energetically, sometimes with impatience

  • scamper

    lighter and more playful, less anxious than this sense of scurry

反義詞
  • linger

    to stay in a place longer than necessary, doing things slowly

  • loll about

    to relax or lie around doing nothing

文法句型

scurry + adverb (about, around, between) to show confused/nervous activity

用法筆記

This sense is particularly common in continuous forms (were scurrying, is scurrying) and often appears with adverbs like frantically, nervously, or busily. It usually describes scenes of controlled chaos — a busy kitchen, an office before a deadline, or a crowded market.

常見錯誤

❌He scurried calmly to the door.
✅He scurried nervously to the door.
💡'scurry' in this sense implies agitation or anxiety, so it clashes with adverbs that suggest calmness.

scurry — noun