bugger off

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bugger off verb

1. (intr, adverb) to go away; depart

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

bug•ger¹ /ˈbʌgɚ, ˈbʊg-/   n. 

[countable]
1. Informal Terms Informal.(used to express affection, or to show anger or contempt) a fellow or lad:
   He's a cute little bugger.
2. Informal Terms Informal. any object or thing:
   See if this little bugger fits in the slot.
3. Slang Terms, British Terms Chiefly Brit. Slang.
   • a despicable person, esp. a man.
   • an annoying thing.

v. 

4. Slang Terms, British Terms Chiefly Brit. Slang. to cause problems for, esp. by deceiving:
   [~ + object] This little gadget is buggering the works.
5. Slang Terms, British Terms bugger off, [no object] [Chiefly Brit. Slang.] bug (def. 10):
   told me to bugger off.

bug•ger² /ˈbʌgɚ/  n. [countable]

1. a person who installs electronic eavesdropping devices.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bug•ger¹  (bug′ər, bŏŏg′-), n. 

1. Informal Terms a fellow or lad (used affectionately or abusively):
   a cute little bugger.
2. Informal Terms any object or thing.
3. Slang Terms [Often Vulgar.] a sodomite.
4. Slang Terms, British Terms [Chiefly Brit. Slang.]
   • a despicable or contemptible person, esp. a man.
   • an annoying or troublesome thing, situation, etc.

v.t. 

5. Slang Terms [Often Vulgar.] to sodomize.
6. Slang Terms damn:
   Bugger the cost--I want the best.
7. Slang Terms, British Terms [Chiefly Brit. Slang.] to trick, deceive, or take advantage of.
8. Slang Terms, British Terms, Slang Terms bugger up, [Chiefly Brit. Slang.] to ruin;
   spoil;
   botch.

v.i. 

9. Slang Terms, British Terms, Slang Terms bugger off, [Chiefly Brit. Slang.] to depart;
   bug off.

• Medieval Latin Bulgarus heretic, literally, Bulgarian, by association of the Balkans with heretical sects such as the Bogomils and their alleged deviant sexual practices; def. 1 perh. by reanalysis as bug¹ or bug² + -er¹ (compare booger)
• Anglo-French bugre
• Middle English bougre 1300–50

bug•ger²  (bug′ər), 

1. a person who installs a hidden listening device.

• bug¹ + -er¹ 1965–70