taking French leave
Departing without notice
Taking French leave is departing without permission or announcement—slipping away from a gathering, job, or obligation without saying goodbye or notifying anyone.
The phrase suggests rudeness or cowardice: He took French leave from the party before the speeches began.
In military contexts, it can mean desertion or unauthorized absence.
- desertionUnlawful abandonment of duty
- fleeDepart swiftly from threat
- absentNot in attendance
- vanishing actAbrupt, unexplained departure
- disappearing actSudden, unexplained departure
abscond · do a runner · run off · make a break · ghosting · depart · escape · slip out · sneaking off · slipping away · stealth · disappear · cutting out · ditch · concealment · exit · vanish · retreat
social courtesy
taking French leavepaying respects
taking, taken, takers, French, Frenchman, Frenchwoman, leave, leaves, leaving