Crossword Genius

Start to scarper, fly, go off and leg it (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

skedaddle

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'leg it' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'start to scarper fly go off' is the wordplay.
'start to' indicates taking the first letters.
'fly' becomes 'ked' (type of parasitic fly).
'go off' becomes 'addle' (eg an egg might addle).
The first letter of 'scarper' is 's'.
's'+'ked'+'addle'='SKEDADDLE'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for skedaddle that I've seen before include "fly" , "Scarper" , "run away" , "Get out of town!" , "Scurry off" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.