To leave, particularly quickly or at an advantageous time.
Police discouraging onlookers were said to be "giving them the 23 Skidoo".
The film was narrated by [Jude Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jude_Law "Jude Law") and scored by 23 Skidoo with both new and old material.
To leave, particularly quickly or at an advantageous time.
"23 skidoo" means to leave, particularly quickly or at an advantageous time. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.
"23 skidoo" means to leave, particularly quickly or at an advantageous time. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Add your own interpretation of "23 skidoo".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Browse all slang words starting with 2.
North American, primarily Canadian, term for a snowmobiler — a person who rides a snowmobile. The word derives from Ski-Doo, the dominant snowmobile brand in Canada, which has become so associated with the activity that it functions as a generic term in many Canadian contexts, similar to Hoover for vacuum cleaners.
(idiomatic, intransitive) To depart quickly or exit abruptly, especially in a manner which does not attract notice and before a meeting, event, etc. has concluded.
(idiomatic, transitive) To depart quickly or exit abruptly by way of, especially in a manner which does not attract notice and before a meeting, event, etc. has concluded.
(idiomatic, dated, rare, chiefly, US) A fictitious place or a generic place that could refer to any location.
08. [↑](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Agent_23_Skidoo#cite_ref-8)["Summer Reading Champion: SECRET AGENT 23 SKIDOO - Kid's PSA "This Summer Libraries Rock!""](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1UCFgO4I_8).
"23 skidoo" is informal English meaning to leave, particularly quickly or at an advantageous time. It is used widely across English varieties. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "to leave" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to assume "23 skidoo" can replace its standard equivalent in every register; keep it for spoken or casual situations and use the formal form in writing. If you are a B2 or C1 learner, it is useful to recognise this word when you hear or read it, but think carefully about whether the situation really calls for it before using it yourself.
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To be forced to leave quickly.
"23 skidoo" means to be forced to leave quickly. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.
"23 skidoo" is informal English meaning to be forced to leave quickly. It is used widely across English varieties. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "to be forced to leave quickly" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to assume "23 skidoo" can replace its standard equivalent in every register; keep it for spoken or casual situations and use the formal form in writing. If you are a B2 or C1 learner, it is useful to recognise this word when you hear or read it, but think carefully about whether the situation really calls for it before using it yourself.
“Police discouraging onlookers were said to be "giving them the 23 Skidoo".”
“The film was narrated by [Jude Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jude_Law "Jude Law") and scored by 23 Skidoo with both new and old material.”
“08. [↑](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Agent_23_Skidoo#cite_ref-8)["Summer Reading Champion: SECRET AGENT 23 SKIDOO - Kid's PSA "This Summer Libraries Rock!""](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1UCFgO4I_8).”
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