Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mass departure of people: A situation in which many people leave a place at the same time, often to escape difficult conditions.
   • (Exodus, proper noun): The second book of the Bible in the Old Testament, which describes the departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (mass departure):
  • The war caused a mass exodus of refugees from the country.
  • There was a steady exodus of workers from the failing factory.
• Noun (Biblical reference):
  • The story of the Passover is told in the Book of Exodus.
  • Moses is a central figure in Exodus.

Advanced Usage

• "to become an exodus": to develop into a situation where many people are leaving.
  • The rising crime rate turned the neighborhood's slow decline into a rapid exodus.
• Capitalization: When referring specifically to the biblical book or event, "Exodus" is always capitalized.
  • The laws were given during the Exodus. (refers to the biblical event)
  • The population exodus was a concern for the city. (refers to a general departure)

Variants and Related Words

• Exodic (adj, rare): Pertaining to a departure or exodus.
• Exodus-like (adj): Resembling a mass departure.

Synonyms

• Departure: The act of leaving.
• Emigration: Leaving one's own country to settle permanently in another.
• Flight: A hurried departure, especially to escape danger.
• Escape: An act of breaking free from confinement or control.

Related Phrases

• Brain drain: An informal term for the emigration of highly trained or intelligent people from a particular country (a specific type of exodus).
  • The country's economic policies led to a brain drain of its best scientists.

Related Idioms

• Vote with one's feet: To indicate disapproval or a negative opinion about a place or situation by leaving it. This idiom describes the behind an exodus.
  • Customers voted with their feet and stopped shopping at the expensive store.

Noun

1. the second book of the Old Testament: tells of the departure of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt led by Moses; God gave them the Ten Commandments and the rest of Mosaic law on Mount Sinai during the Exodus
2. a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment