/huy"tayl'/ , v.i. Informal.
1. to go away or leave rapidly: Last we saw of him, he was hightailing down the street.
2. hightail it , hurry; rush; scamper: Hightail it down to the grocery store and buy some bread for lunch.
[ 1885-90, Amer.; HIGH + TAIL 1 , in reference to the raised tails of fleeing animals, as deer or rabbits ]