ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take a powder

idiom
Meaning

To leave without saying goodbye; to leave quietly, to run away; to scram; to depart without taking leave or notifying anyone, often with the implication of avoiding something unpleasant or shirking responsibility.


Examples
SIMPLE

The party was boring, so he decided to take a powder.

CONTEXTUAL

When the boss started asking difficult questions about the missing money, the manager took a powder and left the building.

COMPLEX

Rather than face the consequences of his failed project, he chose to take a powder, leaving his colleagues to explain the situation to the board.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  2. 02

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  3. 03

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  4. 04

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  5. 05

    I take it

    Used to express one's understanding of another's position.

  6. 06

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

  7. 07

    let nature take its course

    To permit events to proceed or a situation to develop without intervention or interference.

  8. 08

    take a back seat

    To adopt a position of noninvolvement.

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