adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb, taru-adjective
hurriedly; in a flurry; in great haste
Literary adverb describing a state of hurried, flustered movement. Often used with と (e.g., そうこうと) or as a たる adjective. Rare in everyday speech; more common in written narratives.
彼はそうこうと部屋を出て行った。
He hurriedly left the room.
そうこうたる足音が廊下に響いた。
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.
The kanji 倉皇 and 蒼惶 are ateji; the word is of native Japanese origin. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it is likely related to mimetic or sound-symbolic roots expressing hurried, flustered movement.