take French leave
To leave quietly and unnoticed, without asking for permission or informing anyone; to slip out.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He took French leave from the boring meeting.”
“She didn't want to say goodbye to everyone, so she took French leave from the party.”
“Rather than endure another hour of tedious speeches, the ambassador took French leave and slipped out through the servants' entrance.”
disputed origin
From take + French leave, apparently from a French custom, already recorded in the 18th century, of leaving from receptions or other events without formally announcing one’s departure to the host or hostess.
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 03
eat and leave no crumbs
Synonym of eat (“to be very good at something; to rule; to rock”).
- 04
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.
- 05
French fact
The presence of French Canada as a distinct cultural, linguistic, and political force within the Canadian Confederation.
- 06
French leave
A departure taken quietly and unnoticed, without asking for permission or informing anyone.
- 07
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 08
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
Last updated August 10, 2026