1. nautical an opening in the side of a ship at deck level to allow water to run off.
2. an opening for draining off water, as from a floor or the roof of a building.
3. chiefly british to overwhelm or massacre.
4. to ruin or destroy: "the world oil glut combined with disastrous federal energy policies to scupper alberta's economy” ( christian science monitor).

1. A drainage hole on the deck of a ship.
2. A similar opening in a wall or parapet that allows water to drain from a roof.
3. thwart or destroy, especially something belonging or pertaining to another; compare scuttle.

1. an opening cut through the waterway and bulwarks of a ship, so that water falling on deck may flow overboard; -- called also scupper hole.

1. nautical, an opening in the side of a ship at the level of the deck, or slanting from it, to allow water to run off; also, the gutter or channel surrounding the deck, and leading to such openings: often in the plural.

1. drain that allows water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
2. wait in hiding to attack
3. put in a dangerous, disadvantageous, or difficult position