Flashcards based on "Leave and absence idiom flashcards set to learn" set
Prev Next
1 of 10
[in absentia] {adv. phr.}, {formal}
When the person is absent. — Used in graduation exercises when presenting diplomas to an absent student or during a court case.
On Commencement Day, Joe was sick in bed and the college gave him his bachelor's degree in absentia.
(Latin, meaning "in absence.")
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[take off] {v. phr.}
1a. To leave fast; depart suddenly; run away.
The dog took off after a rabbit.
Compare: [LIGHT OUT].
1b. {informal}
To go away; leave.
The six boys got into the car and took off for the drug store.
2. To leave on a flight, begin going up.
A helicopter is able to take off and land straight up or down.
3. {informal}
To imitate amusingly; copy another person's habitual actions or speech.
He made a career of taking off famous people for nightclub audiences.
At the party, Charlie took off the principal and some of the teachers.
4. To take (time) to be absent from work.
When his wife was sick he took off from work.
Bill was tired out so he took the day off.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[take one's leave] or [take leave of] {v. phr.}, {formal}
To say good-bye and leave.
He stayed on after most of the guests had taken their leave.
The messenger bowed and took leave of the queen.
- [leave-taking] {n.}
The end of school in June is a time of leave-taking.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[take French leave] {v. phr.}
To leave secretly; abscond.
The party was so boring that we decided to take French leave.
While the Smith family was in Europe, the house-sitter packed up all the silver and took French leave.
See: [SLIP AWAY].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[leave hanging] or [leave hanging in the air] {v. phr.}
To leave undecided or unsettled.
Because the committee could not decide on a time and place, the matter of the spring dance was left hanging.
Ted's mother didn't know what to do about the broken window, so his punishment was left hanging in the air until his father came home.
Compare: [UP IN THE AIR].
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[leave off] {v.}
To come or put to an end; stop.
There is a high fence where the school yard leaves off and the woods begin.
Don told the boys to leave off teasing his little brother.
Marion put a marker in her book so that she would know where she left off.
Contrast: [TAKE UP].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms