took a powder
Made oneself scarce
Took a powder means left suddenly, especially to avoid trouble or responsibility.
The expression is American slang from the early twentieth century, now somewhat dated: When the cops showed up, he took a powder.
The powder may refer to a laxative or sedative—something that makes you disappear for a while.
- broke outEscaped or suddenly emerged
- on the lamEscaping from police
- abscondedDeparted secretly, furtively
- did a runnerFled to avoid obligation
- skipped townFled one's locality suddenly
skedaddled · vamoosed · ghosted · hit the road · fled · ditched · escaped · bolted · scrammed · cut and run · made tracks · evaporated · running away · flew the coop · hightailed it · bailed out · cleared out · beat it
took a powderstayed put
Continued in place
remained · stuck around · stayed · showed up · arrived
took a powderfaced the music
Accepted responsibility for actions
stood one's ground · owned up · stepped up · bit the bullet · took one's medicine
took, take, taker, takers, retake, retook, undertake, undertook, powder