英和和英

語源

From French leave, in supposed reference to the general fashion among the French upper class to leave receptions etc. in the 18th century without always formally announcing their departure to the host or hostess.

動詞

take French leave (三人称単数 現在形 takes French leave, 現在分詞 taking French leave, 過去形 took French leave, 過去分詞 taken French leave)

1. (intransitive) Synonym of slip out, to leave suddenly without notice or permission.
2. (intransitive, euphemistic) Synonym of go AWOL, to desert or be temporarily absent from military service without permission.
   • 1824: Edward Allen Talbot, Five Years' Residence in the Canadas: Including a Tour Through Part of the United States of America

     No sooner do European servants arrive in America, than ...they ... take French leave of their employers, and, procuring land for themselves, commence the occupation of farming on their own account.

   • 1829, William Nugent Glascock, Sailors and saints; or, Matrimonial manœuvres, by the authors of the 'Naval sketch book':

     The first suggestion of the moment was one altogether unworthy of him, which was to incur the imputation of adopting Gallican habits, and taking what is known by the term "French leave".

   • 1904: Elroy McKendree Avery, William Abbatt, A History of the United States and Its People: From Their Earliest Records to the Present Time

     In spite of threats and punishment, many Canadians deserted in order to care for their families and to provide food for the coming winter; more than two thousand are said thus to have taken French leave.

   • 1904: Oxford Journals, Notes and queries

     What, Master Peveril, is this your foreign breeding? or have you learned in France to take French leave of your friends?.

同意語

• abscond
• AWOL
• Irish goodbye

参考

• take leave
• take one's leave
• take leave of one's senses