Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
A departure taken quietly and unnoticed, without asking for permission or informing anyone.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, idiomatic, informal, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: French exit, AWOL, disappearing act, Irish goodbye
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Desertion or temporary absence from duty or service without permission; absence without leave, AWOL.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, euphemistic, idiomatic, informal, specifically, uncountable
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
an abrupt and unannounced departure (without saying farewell)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: departure, going, going away, leaving
History
From French (adjective) + leave (noun), apparently from a French custom, already recorded in the 18th century, of leaving from receptions or other events without formally announcing one’s departure to the host or hostess. Compare Spanish irse a la francesa and Portuguese sair à francesa (“go in the French manner”) but also the otherwise ubiquitous attribution of this behaviour to the English as with French filer à l’anglaise (“leave in the English manner”), Italian filarsela all'inglese, Polish wyjść po angielsku, etc.
Across languages
17 source translations are retained for this English entry.
