Hightail It
In our neck of the woods, we see chipmunks, squirrels, deer, and other critters hightail it across our yards.
Whether they chase food, one another, or something else, we love to watch them.
To hightail it means to go quickly.
The meaning comes from certain animals raising their tails when running. This may happen when they rush forward or run away. In both instances, they leave in a hurry.
People, as well as animals, hightail it.
We sometimes rush toward a goal. Other times, we flee from someone or something.
- We hurry when late for a meeting.
- Students rush from class when the bell rings.
- We head for safety if dangerous weather approaches.
In old western movies, cowboys jump on their horses and hightail it out of there. They leave immediately and ride as fast as they can.
Sometimes God tells us to run. Other times, God tells us to stand firm.
When tempted to do wrong, we want to run from it. However, when tempted to back down from truth, God calls us to remain strong and courageous.
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22 NIV).
Thanks to Marita Smeathers Mantooth for the suggestion.
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8 thoughts on “Hightail It”
I think this phrase has persisted because it does conjure up those critters of high tails when they scamper away. Great one, Diana!
Thank you, Martha. The critters are such fun to watch, aren’t they? A choir friend mentioned this expression to me after watching a few in her yard.
I’m reminded of when a sudden thuder storm comes my way on the farm while I’m doing chores, I finish up quickly and “high-tail it” into the house for safety. I guess our animals (and us) always need to be ready to “high-tail it” to escape danger or temptation. Thanks, Diana.
I recall hightailing it under similar circumstances, Katherine. We no longer farm, but we still need to hightail it to safety from time to time. Thank you. Blessings.
If someone is working on a new contemporary version of the Bible, they’d do well to use this idiom, “high-tail it,” at the beginning of 2 Timothy 2:22! And chipmunks do provide the perfect imagery. Their speed astounds me, given how small they are!
Good point, Nancy! I never thought about that. I love to watch chipmunks, don’t you? Have a wonderful weekend.
You knew I was going to love this phrase, didn’t you Ms. Diana. Around here, it’s mostly livestock (cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and so on), especially the young ones, that hightail it around the pastures. I love late spring/early summers when the new calves are born. The “Zoomies”, as we call them, starts a couple weeks after they’re born and they’ve gotten stronger and maneuver much better. Usually, right after nursing, the calves are full of energy. When their tails go up, I know the “Zoomies” are starting. They’ll dash all around the pasture in short sprints. Other times, they run circles around their mamas. I can’t help but smile at their antics, but realize they’re just burning off excess energy. Maybe I need more milk! Thank you for bringing smiles my friend.
Indeed, I thought of you while writing this one, J.D. I also loved watching calves during our cattle-raising years. I could see them outside our kitchen window. They made washing dishes much more enjoyable!