ENGLISH
REFERENCE

leave on

idiom
Meaning

To cause or allow to remain in the on or open position.


Examples
SIMPLE

Please leave the light on when you go out.

CONTEXTUAL

I always leave the television on to keep the dog company while I am at work.

COMPLEX

The security guard decided to leave the main gate on its latch, allowing the late arrivals to enter the building without further delay.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    eat and leave no crumbs

    Synonym of eat (“to be very good at something; to rule; to rock”).

  2. 02

    French leave

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

  3. 03

    leave a sour taste in one's mouth

    To give one an unpleasant feeling or memory.

  4. 04

    leave at the door

    To dispense with something for now; to forget about it situationally, or omit or discard it in a given place or instance.

  5. 05

    leave behind

    To abandon.

  6. 06

    leave for dust

    To leave or abandon someone alone without helping or caring for them.

  7. 07

    leave home

    To stop living with one's parents.

  8. 08

    leave it all on the field

    Used to remind players not to dwell on minor mistakes, issues or conflicts that happened during the course of play.

Last updated April 17, 2026