scupper
/ˈskʌpər/
noun
- An opening in the side of a ship or boat that allows water to drain off the deck.
- During the storm, waves crashed over the rail and drained through the scuppers.
- Rainwater flowed out through the scupper on the deck.
- The sailor cleared the scupper so it wouldn't clog with debris.
verb
- To ruin or thwart a plan, effort, or opportunity.
- His careless mistake scuppered the entire project.
- The team's loss scuppered their chances of making the playoffs.
- The sudden rain scuppered our plans for a picnic.
- To deliberately sink a ship by opening holes in its hull.
- The crew decided to scupper the old vessel rather than let it rot at the dock.
- Pirates would sometimes scupper a captured ship to hide the evidence.
- They had to scupper the boat after it was damaged beyond repair.