absence without leave

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Word: Absence Without Leave (AWOL)

Definition: "Absence without leave" (often abbreviated as AWOL) is a term used primarily in the military to describe a situation where a soldier is not present at their assigned duty without permission. This means they have left their post or did not show up for work without informing their superiors.

Usage Instructions:

• This term is mostly used in military contexts, but it can also be used informally to describe someone who is unexpectedly absent from work or other responsibilities without notifying anyone.
• It is a noun phrase, so it is used to refer to the state of being absent without permission.

Example:

• The soldier was declared AWOL after he did not return from leave on the expected date.
• She was worried about her coworker’s absence without leave, as he hadn’t called or emailed to explain why he was missing.

Advanced Usage:

• In more formal contexts, especially in legal or military documents, you might see it used like this: The commanding officer issued a report regarding the soldier's AWOL status, which could lead to disciplinary action.

Word Variants:

• AWOL (abbreviation): This is the common way to refer to "absence without leave."
• Leave: In this context, "leave" refers to permission to be away from duty, often for personal reasons.

Different Meanings:

• While "absence without leave" specifically refers to unauthorized military absence, "leave" itself can have a broader meaning outside the military, referring to time off from work or school that is granted with permission.

Synonyms:

• Unauthorized absence
• Desertion (though "desertion" typically implies a longer absence and a more serious consequence)
• Missing in action (MIA), which refers to soldiers who are unaccounted for during military operations but is generally used in a different context.

Idioms:

• There are no direct idioms related to "absence without leave," but you might hear phrases like "missing in action" used informally to describe someone who is unexpectedly absent.

Phrasal Verb:

• Although "absence without leave" does not have a specific phrasal verb, you might use "take off" informally to mean leaving without permission, but be cautious as it can have a casual tone and may not convey the seriousness of being AWOL.

Summary:

"Absence without leave" is a specific legal term used in the military to describe someone who is not where they are supposed to be, without permission.

Academic

Noun

1. unauthorized military absence

Synonyms

• unauthorized absence