The term 'hightails it' is an idiom meaning to flee or run away quickly. All of the crossword solutions given are synonyms for this phrase, such as 'FLEES, ' 'BOLTS, ' 'SCURRIES, ' 'SCRAMS, ' 'RUNS, ' 'scats, ' 'gits, ' 'rips, ' 'speeds, ' 'lams, ' 'onempty, ' and 'makesthedustfly.' Each of these words implies a sense of urgency and haste, suggesting that the person in question is trying to escape from a situation as quickly as possible.