take French leave
Slip away unannounced
Take French leave means to depart without permission or without saying goodbye, slipping away from a gathering or obligation unannounced.
The phrase suggests a quiet, unauthorized exit rather than a formal farewell.
He took French leave from the party before the speeches started.
In military contexts, it historically referred to absence without official leave.
The expression implies rudeness or impropriety, though it's now somewhat dated.
- abscondFlee to avoid capture
- AWOLAbsent without permission
- cut and runAbandon situation hastily
- ghostingAbruptly ceasing all communication
- absenceState of not being
bolt · vanish · without a trace · steal away · disappearing act · do a runner · Irish goodbye · decamp · sneak away · make oneself scarce · fly the coop · skip town · depart · clandestine · exit · slip out · walk out · beat a hasty retreat
take French leavebid farewell
make the rounds · say goodbye · pay one's respects · kiss goodbye · do the rounds