duck-out

duck-out

A soldier decided to duck-out during the night.

Definition

  1. Noun (informal, US military slang):

    • Desertion: "duck-out" refers to the act of deserting from military service or leaving a duty or responsibility without authorization.

  2. Verb phrase (informal):

    • To evade or avoid: "duck out" means to leave a situation quickly or secretly, often to avoid something unpleasant or to escape responsibility.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The soldier was court-martialed for a duck-out during the final phase of the mission. (An act of desertion from military duty.)

  • Verb phrase:

    • She tried to duck out of the meeting before the boss arrived. (She attempted to leave secretly to avoid the boss.)
    • He ducked out of the party without saying goodbye. (He left quickly and discreetly.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to duck out of something": to avoid or escape an obligation, task, or situation.

    • He always ducks out of washing the dishes. (He consistently avoids the chore.)
    • They ducked out of the contract by citing a technicality. (They evaded the legal obligation.)

  • "to duck out on someone": to abandon or leave someone suddenly, often in a difficult situation.

    • She ducked out on her friend when the bill arrived. (She abandoned her friend to pay alone.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Duck (verb): to lower the head or body quickly to avoid something.

    • He ducked to avoid the low branch. (He lowered his head.)

  • Duck (noun): a type of waterbird; also informal for a person who is easily fooled.

Synonyms
  • Avoid: to keep away from or prevent something.
  • Evade: to escape or avoid by cleverness or deceit.
  • Shirk: to avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility.
  • Desert (military): to leave one's post or duty without permission.
Phrasal Verbs

  • Duck out (of): to leave a place or situation quickly and often secretly.

    • Let's duck out of the lecture early. (Leave before it ends.)

  • Duck away: to move aside or retreat quickly.

    • He ducked away into the crowd. (He moved quickly to disappear.)
Related Idioms

  • Duck and cover: to take cover or hide, originally from nuclear attack drills; now used metaphorically for avoiding danger.

    • When the argument started, he did a duck and cover. (He hid or avoided the conflict.)

  • Duck soup: something extremely easy to do (unrelated to "duck-out" but a common idiom).

    • The exam was duck soup for her. (It was very easy.)