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take French leave

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.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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French leave

[French leave] {n.} The act of slipping away from a place secretly and without saying good-bye to anyone. * /"It's getting late," Rob whispered to Janet. "Let's take French leave […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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[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 […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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[take it or leave it] {v. phr.}, {informal} To accept something without change or refuse it; decide yes or no. - Often used like a command. * /He said the […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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[take leave of] {v. phr.} 1. To abandon, go away from, or become separated from. - Usually used in the phrase "take leave of one's senses". * /Come down from […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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