take French leave

Meaning

1. (dated, idiomatic, informal, intransitive) To leave quietly and unnoticed, without asking for permission or informing anyone; to slip out.
2. (dated, euphemistic, idiomatic, informal, intransitive, specifically) To desert or be temporarily absent from duty or service without permission; to go absent without leave (AWOL).

Synonyms

desert one’s post

play truant

take a French leave

Translations

filer à l’anglaise

französischen Abschied nehmen

andarsene all'inglese

irse a la francesa

despedirse a la francesa

ohne Erlaubnis wegbleiben

sair à francesa

filarsene all'inglese

marcharse a la francesa

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌteɪk fɹɛnt͡ʃ ˈliːv/

Etymology

From take + French leave, 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.