It is just a saying, that car or that character(person) took off, or can take off running like a “scalded dog”….. This is just a phrase used to describe something that can move quickly and it is pretty much a term from the past…..

What does a scalded dog mean?

This saying originated back when people used to cook, can, and preserve food outside, and occasionally a hungry dog that was sniffing around for scraps would get some boiling water spilled on it accidentally, or as I�m ashamed to admit, on purpose, by some impatient or mean human who wanted the animal out from ...

What does scalded mean in English?

: to burn (someone or something) with hot liquid or steam. : to put (something) in hot liquid or steam for a brief time. : to heat (a liquid) until it is very hot but not boiling.