verb General Slang

scramble

SKRAM-bul · verb · military

Emergency launch of fighter aircraft to intercept an incoming threat.

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Definitions

1

The flat-out, drop-everything launch of fighters to meet an unidentified or hostile aircraft. Klaxon goes, pilots sprint to the jets, wheels up in minutes. Born in the Battle of Britain when RAF Fighter Command needed Spitfires and Hurricanes airborne before the Luftwaffe arrived overhead. Still the term NATO air forces use today for quick-reaction alert launches.

“Two Typhoons scrambled from Lossiemouth to intercept a Russian Bear pushing into UK airspace.”
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2

By extension, any chaotic rush to react. Civilian usage drips down from the military meaning.

“The whole office scrambled when the client moved the deadline up a week.”
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3

When a quarterback breaks the pocket and runs around to escape pressure and buy time to throw or gain yards.

“He scrambled out of the pocket and found his receiver for a first down.”
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scramble In A Sentence

Two Typhoons scrambled from Lossiemouth to intercept a Russian Bear pushing into UK airspace.
The whole office scrambled when the client moved the deadline up a week.

Origin & Usage

RAF Fighter Command, Battle of Britain (1940). Pilots were ordered to 'scramble' to their aircraft as fast as humanly possible.

Variants scrambledscrambling
Tags #military#raf#aviation#wwii

People Also Ask

What does it mean when a quarterback scrambles?

It means the QB leaves the protected pocket and runs around to escape the pass rush, buying time to throw or to gain yards himself.

Is scrambling good or bad for a quarterback?

It can be a valuable skill for extending plays, but scrambling also exposes the QB to hits and can lead to sacks or turnovers if mistimed.

What's a scrambling quarterback?

It's a QB known for his mobility, who regularly escapes pressure and improvises outside the pocket rather than staying planted to pass.

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