scupper meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

scupper

noun

UK /ˈskʌpə/ · US /ˈskʌpɚ/

Etymology Uncertain. Perhaps from Middle English scope (“scoop”) or Dutch schop (“shovel”) + -er; or from Dutch scheppen (“to draw off”).

Nautical, Transport A drainage hole on the deck of a ship.

Architecture A similar opening in a wall or parapet that allows water to drain from a roof.

I have said that our roof was decidedly Biblical in style; but to make it a dry one, something of a nautical character was added to its architecture, for on either side were scuppers, and it was slightly arched in the centre[.]1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 111:

verb

Etymology Of unknown origin; possibly verbized form of Etymology 1, but this is unlikely.

UK To thwart or destroy, especially something belonging or pertaining to another.

The bad media coverage scuppered his chances of being elected.
["]The only chance was to get the guns and try a rescue. Of course they may scupper them at once in revenge.["]1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:

3 more examples

This is the face of American exceptionalism[…] threatening to scupper both the court and, failing that, UN peace-keeping operations in Bosnia and anywhere else the US might have forces deployed on such work.2002 July 2, Hugo Young, “We can't allow US tantrums to scupper global justice”, in The Guardian:
Anthony Watson’s late interception and Owen Farrell’s 100% kicking contribution also helped scupper the Wallabies, despite the promise of their exciting new centre Jordan Petaia and the roadrunner pace of winger Marika Koroibete.2019 October 19, Robert Kitson, “England into World Cup semi-finals after bruising victory over Australia”, in The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media:
Pacers should have all been withdrawn by now, but that has been scuppered by a failure to deliver new trains on time and delays to infrastructure projects. The most high-profile withdrawals were to be Northern's Class 142s and '144s' (the latter by the end of 2018, and the '142s' by the end of last year).2020 May 20, John Crosse, “Soon to be gone... but never forgotten”, in RAIL, page 62: