noun
- openings in a ship’s side that allow water to drain from the deck
Usage: nautical
verb
- to sink a ship deliberately
- to ruin or destroy something completely
Usage: nautical
Usage: informal
Examples
- Water poured through the scuppers as the waves crashed over the deck.
- The ship’s scuppers were clogged with debris from the storm.
- The captain ordered his crew to scupper the damaged vessel.
- Bad weather scuppered our plans for a picnic.
- The scandal scuppered his chances of winning the election.
- Rising costs could scupper the entire project.
- She was determined not to let anything scupper her dreams.