absence without leave
Gone without permission
Absence without leave is being away from military duty without permission.
The phrase is formal and legalistic, typically appearing in official charges or records.
The acronym AWOL is far more common in everyday speech: He went AWOL after his leave expired.
The term has spread to civilian contexts for any unauthorized disappearance from expected duties.
- desertionUnlawful abandonment of duty
- jumping shipAbandoning a commitment midway
- defectionAbandoning one's loyalty
- truancyUnauthorized absence from school
- armed forcesNation's combined military services
court-martial · military · AWOL · abandonment · on the run · malingering · breach of contract · draft evasion · dishonorable discharge · nonappearance · dereliction of duty · brig · mutiny · conduct unbecoming · insubordination · fugitive · general court-martial · legal repercussions
- military offensesdesertion, insubordination, mutiny, AWOL, dereliction of duty
- Courts-Martialcourt martial, military court, court proceedings, judge advocate, convening authority
- military lawcourt-martial, court martial, military courts, military justice, judge advocate
absence without leaveleave of absence
Authorized extended time off
furlough · liberty · shore leave · excused absence · R&R
absence without leaveon duty
Actively at one's station
reporting for duty · standing watch · accounted for · active duty · mustered
absence, absent, absently, absentee, absenteeism, leave, leaves, leaving