play hookey
Ditch class deliberately
Play hookey is to skip school or work without permission, usually to do something more enjoyable: We played hookey and went to the beach.
The spelling varies—hooky, hookey, hooky—but the meaning stays the same.
The phrase is informal and typically implies youthful mischief rather than serious dereliction.
Rhythmic hopping locomotion
- ditchingHastily discarding something
- cutting classUnexcused absence from school
- bunkingSleeping somewhere temporarily
- hookyUnauthorized school absence
truancy · AWOL · absence · absenteeism · no-show · unexcused · sick day · mental health day
Avoiding obligatory tasks
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- evadingSkillfully keeping away from
- ducking outLeaving discreetly, often early
- slackingAvoiding effort deliberately
malingering · goldbricking · goofing off · loafing · skiving · shamming · idling · sidestepping
Departing covertly, undetected
- lyingStating known falsehoods
- cover storyFalse explanation for actions
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- alibiDefense of location
pretense · feigning · fibbing · white lie · ruse · subterfuge
Defiance of established power
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- rule-breakingDisregarding established standards
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- nonconformityRejection of prevailing norms
dissent · resistance · acting out · misbehavior · flouting · disregard · noncompliance · willfulness
skipping
Rhythmic hopping locomotion
- ditchingHastily discarding something
- cutting classUnexcused absence from school
- bunkingSleeping somewhere temporarily
hooky · truancy · AWOL · absence · absenteeism · no-show · unexcused · sick day · mental health day · jigging
shirking
Avoiding obligatory tasks
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- evadingSkillfully keeping away from
- ducking outLeaving discreetly, often early
slacking · malingering · goldbricking · goofing off · loafing · skiving · shamming · idling · sidestepping · neglecting
sneaking out
Departing covertly, undetected
- lyingStating known falsehoods
- cover storyFalse explanation for actions
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
alibi · pretense · feigning · fibbing · white lie · ruse · subterfuge
rebellion
Defiance of established power
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- rule-breakingDisregarding established standards
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
nonconformity · dissent · resistance · acting out · misbehavior · flouting · disregard · noncompliance · willfulness · impudence
play hookeyshow up
Arrive or outperform
attend · be present · go to work · clock in · punch in
play hookeydiligent
Persistently attentive to tasks
responsible · conscientious · dutiful · hardworking · reliable
play, hookey, plays, played, playing, player, players, playful, playfully