# French leave

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/french-leave
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A departure taken quietly and unnoticed, without asking for permission or informing anyone.

## Examples

- He took French leave when the party became too boring.
- The employee took French leave during the meeting because he had an urgent personal matter to attend to.
- Disenchanted by the tedious nature of the gala, the diplomat took French leave, slipping out through the side door before the speeches began.

## Origin

The term dates to the 18th century and is said to originate from a French social custom of departing a reception without formally taking leave of the host or hostess. By omitting the ceremony of the farewell, the guest avoided the inconvenience of a prolonged exit. The English attributed the habit to the French, resulting in the phrase French leave, and the Spanish and Portuguese followed suit with *irse a la francesa* and *sair à francesa*. The French, however, returned the compliment. In a display of continental disagreement, the French term for such a departure is *filer à l’anglaise*, or leaving in the English manner. This attribution to English manners is shared by the Italian *filarsela all'inglese* and the Polish *wyjść po angielsku*, suggesting that the identity of the person slipping out the back door depends entirely on who is watching them leave. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.