“Scotch free” or “scot-free”: which is correct?
scot-free
The short answer
The correct phrase is scot-free, which means to escape a situation without harm or penalty. Scot in this context refers to an old term for a type of tax or payment, so scot-free means free of payment or penalty.
Why people get it wrong
Scot is an old word for a tax or payment, and it isn’t used on its own any more. Because people don’t recognise it, they swap in the familiar word scotch.
What kind of mistake it is
Common language mistake or malapropism.
Examples with scot-free
- After the trial, he was let off scot-free.
- She made it through the inspection scot-free.
- Despite the accident, he came out of it scot-free.
Quick check
After the trial, he was let off .
The correct phrase is scot-free, which means to escape a situation without harm or penalty. Scot in this context refers to an old term for a type of tax or payment, so scot-free means free of payment or penalty.
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