Definition

1. Verb:
   • To depart from a place or person; to say goodbye: The phrase "take leave" means to go away from somewhere or someone, often formally or politely. It implies a deliberate act of departure, frequently after a visit, meeting, or period of presence.

Usage

• "Take leave" is a formal or somewhat literary verb phrase. It is often used in written English or in formal speech. It can be used with or without an object.
• Common structures include:
  • take leave of [someone]
  • take one's leave
• It is less common in casual, everyday conversation where "leave," "go," or "say goodbye" are typically used.

Examples

• Verb:
  • After the meeting, he took leave of his colleagues and returned to his office.
  • It was getting late, so we took our leave and headed home.
  • She took a polite leave of her host before stepping out into the night.

Advanced Usage

• "To take one's leave": This is a set phrase meaning to depart formally.
  • With a final bow, the ambassador took his leave from the assembly.
• "To take leave of one's senses": This is an idiomatic expression meaning to act irrationally or crazy (Note: This is an idiom containing the phrase; it is not the core definition of "take leave" as a phrasal verb).
  • You must have taken leave of your senses to make such a risky investment!

Variants and Related Words

• Leave (verb): To go away from a place.
  • The train will leave the station in five minutes.
• Leave-taking (noun): A formal or polite act of departure; farewell.
  • The leave-taking was emotional for everyone involved.

Synonyms

• Depart: To go away, especially from a place.
• Bid farewell: To say goodbye.
• Withdraw: To remove oneself from a situation or place.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Leave off: To stop doing something.
  • He left off working at six o'clock.
• Leave out: To omit or not include.
  • She accidentally left out an important detail.

Related Idioms

• Take French leave: To leave secretly or without permission (Note: This is a separate idiom).
  • He took French leave from the party when no one was looking.

Verb

1. go away or leave