そそくさ

そそくさ
adverb
hurriedly; hastily; in a rush to leave
1. hurriedly; hastily; in a rush
Moving or leaving quickly, often to escape an uncomfortable situation or because one is busy. Implies departing abruptly without lingering.
(かれ)はそそくさと(かえ)っていった。
He hurried away.
食事(しょくじ)()えるとそそくさと(せき)()った。
After finishing the meal, they hastily got up from their seat.
そそくさと準備(じゅんび)をして()かけた。
They hurriedly got ready and left.

MIMETIC TYPE:
Onomatopoeia expressing quick, somewhat furtive movement.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • そそくさと(かえ)る - to hurry home
  • そそくさと()()る - to leave in a hurry
  • そそくさと片付(かたづ)ける - to clean up hastily

NUANCE:
Implies leaving without staying to chat or lingering. Often suggests the person wants to avoid further interaction or has somewhere urgent to be. Can have a slightly negative connotation of being unsociable.

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • (いそ)いで - in a hurry (neutral)
  • ばたばたと - frantically, busily
  • こそこそ - stealthily, sneakily