| 释义 |
scot-free, a.
Also rarely 6 scotchfree, 7 scotts-free. See also shot-free.
[f. scot n.2 + free a. Cf. MDu. schotvrî (the mod.Du. schotvrij ‘shot-proof’ is independently formed), OSw. skutfrî-r.]
Free from payment of ‘scot’, tavern score, fine, etc.; exempt from injury, punishment, etc.; scatheless. Almost exclusively predicative; esp. in the phrase to go scot free.
In the mod. use of the expression, ‘scot’ is probably often interpreted as a mere intensive.
12..Charter of 1066 in Kemble Cod. Diplom. IV. 191 Scotfre and gauelfre, on schire and on hundrede. 1531Tindale Expos. 1 John (1537) 22 The poore synner shulde go Skot fre without oughte at all. 1546St. Papers Hen. VIII, XI. 129 What damages their cuntrey and peple had suffred by this warre, and that Your Majestie went not all scott free. a1548Hall Chron., Edw. IV, 233 They payed no money, but were set scot free. 1567J. Maplet Green Forest 93 Daniell scaped scotchfree by Gods prouidence. 1579–80North Plutarch, Tiberius & Caius (1595) 878 Caius..had charged the poore citizens with an annuall rent for the lands..Liuius..did please them by..letting them haue the lands scotfree. 1622Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman d'Alf. ii. 231 The first speaker scapes scot-free. 1665–6Wood Life (O.H.S.) II. 73 Oxford escaped scot fre of the plague. 1740Richardson Pamela (1824) I. 117 She should not, for all the trouble she has cost you, go away scot-free. 1792Wolcot (P. Pindar) Odes of Condolence Wks. 1794 III. 237 Scot-free the Poets drank and ate; They paid no taxes to the State! 1819Scott Ivanhoe xii, Do as much for this fellow and thou shalt pass scot-free. 1858R. S. Surtees Ask Mamma xiv. 45 The sporting inhabitants thereof preferred the money-griping propensities of a certain Baronet..to the scot-free sport with the frigid civilities of the noble Earl. 1875Stubbs Const. Hist. xiv. I. 133 The people had not been heavily taxed, and the clergy had passed..scot-free. 1877Black Green Past. xiii, When some notorious offender has got off scot free.
¶b. ? Mis-used for: Without inflicting damage.
1652–66in Gilbert Contemp. Hist. Irel. i. 25 [They] shooted at him with earnest leuell, and not scotts-free for presently he was tumbled to the earth deadly wounded. |