leave alone

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Thân thiện
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

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