Where did the phrase hightail it out of here start?

Answer 1

When deer get spooked, they raise their tails and run away. This is the origin of the phrase "hightail it," which means that a person left a place as quickly as possible.

Answer 2

The phrase "hightail it out of here" likely originated in the early 19th century in the United States. It combines the image of a fleeing animal raising its tail high to run quickly, conveying the idea of leaving rapidly to escape a situation.