like a scalded cat

like a scalded cat

Extremely quickly, perhaps as if having been startled. He screamed and darted out the door like a scalded cat when I snuck up behind him and gave him a fright. This car's engine is so powerful that takes off like a scalded cat.
See also: cat, like
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

like a scalded cat

BRITISH
If a person or animal moves like a scalded cat, they move very fast, as though they have been suddenly frightened. Sure enough, within minutes of the train pulling out, Brown was out of that seat like a scalded cat. The Derby winner of that year set off like a scalded cat, and was never caught.
See also: cat, like
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

like a scalded cat

at a very fast speed.
1997 T3 If you're in a desperate hurry you can bury the accelerator…and take off like a scalded cat.
See also: cat, like
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • dart
  • dart a glance at
  • dart a glance at (someone or something)
  • dart out
  • take fright
  • before (one) can blink
  • in defiance of
  • in defiance of (something)
  • dart across
  • creep up
References in periodicals archive
Wagner, who sings like a scalded cat, is clearly the least talented contestant the show has ever seen while poor Anne is simply a human wardrobe being pushed around by an out of puff Anton du Beke.
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"I've banned him from using tools around the house and DIY is out of the question after the incident with the boiling water - he took off like a scalded cat.
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Masta Plasta set off like a scalded cat and was clear at halfway, but Buick was just biding his time and launched his winning run inside the final furlong.
BUICK QUICK TO MOTOR IN; RACING: THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY
As usual for a pacemaker from the Ballydoyle yard, River Tiber went off like a scalded cat and George Washington was on the back foot after badly missing the break.
GEORGE IS OUT WITH WASHING
You know the drill: Hose down that wasp nest under the eaves with wasp killer and then run like a scalded cat before the survivors extract their revenge.
Long arm for spray cans
While the ex-Reds hard man has already come close to one of the thugs - who "ran off like a scalded cat" - he needs the help of both the public and police.
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