duck out
To depart quickly or exit abruptly, especially in a manner which does not attract notice and before a meeting, event, etc. has concluded.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I need to duck out of this meeting early.”
“The party was too loud, so I decided to duck out before anyone noticed I was gone.”
“Sensing that the conversation was turning toward an uncomfortable topic, he quietly ducked out of the room while the others were distracted.”
disputed origin
Possibly an allusion to the abrupt manner in which a swimming duck can dive and disappear beneath the surface of the water.
- 01
all duck or no dinner
All or nothing.
- 02
break one's duck
To do something for the first time.
- 03
dead duck
One who is in serious danger or trouble.
- 04
duck down
To crouch in order to hide or protect oneself.
- 05
duck off
To lie low; to hide.
- 06
duck soup
Something which is easy; a piece of cake.
- 07
ducked off
Lying low; hidden.
- 08
ducks and drakes
The squandering of resources, especially money; used in expressions such as "to make ducks and drakes of", "to play (at) ducks and drakes with".
Last updated August 10, 2026