Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To allow someone or something to remain in its current state without interference, disturbance, or assistance.
   • To refrain from touching, bothering, or interacting with someone or something.

Usage

• The core meaning is to not disturb or change a situation, person, or object.
• It is often used as an imperative ("Leave it alone!") to instruct someone to stop interfering.
• It implies a deliberate choice to not take action.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to be left alone": A common passive construction meaning to be in a state without disturbance.
  • After the argument, she just wanted to be left alone.
• Used to express a desire for solitude or non-interference in personal matters.
  • This is my decision, so please leave me alone to make it.

Variants and Related Words

• Let alone: This phrase has two distinct uses.
  • As a conjunction meaning "not to mention" or "much less" (e.g., He can't walk, let alone run).
  • As a verb phrase with a meaning very similar to "leave alone," though "let alone" can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned in this sense (e.g., Let the dog alone; it's sleeping).

Synonyms

• Let be: To allow to remain as is.
• Ignore: To refuse to take notice of or act upon (can imply a more deliberate disregard).
• Avoid: To keep away from.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Leave off: To stop doing something.
  • Leave off poking that; you'll break it. (Compare to: Leave that alone; you'll break it.)
• Leave behind: To not take something with you when you go.
  • This meaning is distinct from "leave alone," which is about non-interference, not physical departure.

Related Idioms

• "Leave well enough alone": To avoid trying to improve or change something that is already satisfactory, as doing so might make it worse.
  • The painting looks fine; you should leave well enough alone.
• "Let sleeping dogs lie": An idiom with a similar meaning to "leave well enough alone," advising against disturbing a situation that is currently calm.

Verb

1. leave unchanged or undisturbed or refrain from taking
   • leave it as is
   • leave the young fawn alone
   • leave the flowers that you see in the park behind