60 Idioms for Leaving

Idioms are fun phrases where the words together mean something totally different from what they say one by one. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful, exciting, and full of life. Today, you are going to learn a bunch of helpful idioms that all have to do with leaving and departing from a place.

In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for leaving that mean heading out, saying goodbye, and walking away. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.

Idioms for Leaving

1. Hit the road

Meaning: To start a trip, travel, or leave a location.

For Example: We packed our bags and were ready to hit the road early in the morning. / The family got into the car and hit the road for vacation.

Other Ways to Say: Start traveling / Depart

2. Take off

Meaning: To leave a place quickly or fly away into the air.

For Example: The airplane began to take off down the long runway. / It is getting late, so we need to take off now.

Other Ways to Say: Depart / Leave fast

3. Split the scene

Meaning: To leave a place or gathering in a hurry.

For Example: When the loud noise started outside, the kids decided to split the scene. / It was getting late, so he grabbed his coat and decided to split the scene.

Other Ways to Say: Leave quickly / Depart fast

4. Make tracks

Meaning: To leave somewhere in a hurry to avoid being late.

For Example: We need to make tracks if we want to catch the school bus on time. / Dad told us to make tracks so we wouldn’t miss the movie start.

Other Ways to Say: Hurry away / Depart quickly

5. Out the door

Meaning: Leaving a building or room to go outside.

For Example: She grabbed her red backpack and ran right out the door. / As soon as the final bell rings, everyone rushes out the door.

Other Ways to Say: Leaving / Exiting

6. Hit the trail

Meaning: To start walking along a path or depart on a journey.

For Example: We laced up our hiking boots and started hitting the trail. / Early mornings are the best time for hitting the trail.

Other Ways to Say: Start hiking / Begin walk

7. Pack your bags

Meaning: Getting ready to leave on a travel adventure or move away.

For Example: Pack your bags because we are visiting the beach tomorrow! / The winners got to pack their bags for a trip to Washington.

Other Ways to Say: Prepare luggage / Get ready

8. Set sail

Meaning: Beginning a water journey by leaving the shore on a boat.

For Example: The pirate crew raised the anchor and prepared to set sail. / We watched the ferry set sail across the sparkling lake.

Other Ways to Say: Start voyage / Sail away

9. Head out

Meaning: To begin your journey or departure from a place.

For Example: We finished eating breakfast and decided to head out for the park. / Make sure you have your jacket before we head out.

Other Ways to Say: Leave / Depart

10. Walk out

Meaning: To leave a room, building, or meeting in protest or frustration.

For Example: The student felt so upset by the unfair rule that he wanted to walk out. / When the movie turned boring, some people chose to walk out.

Other Ways to Say: Exit abruptly / Leave room

11. Give the slip

Meaning: To escape or leave someone secretly without them noticing.

For Example: The playful puppy tried to give the slip to its owner in the yard. / The sneaky character managed to give the slip to the guards.

Other Ways to Say: Escape / Slip away

12. Slip away

Meaning: To leave a place quietly and secretly without saying goodbye.

For Example: He decided to slip away from the crowded party early. / The tired cat tried to slip away into the quiet bedroom.

Other Ways to Say: Sneak out / Depart quietly

13. High tail it

Meaning: To leave a place very quickly, often out of fear or urgency.

For Example: When it started to thunder, we had to high tail it back home. / The scared rabbit saw the dog and high tailed it into the bushes.

Other Ways to Say: Run away / Flee fast

14. Skedaddle Meaning: A fun word for running away or leaving a place in a hurry.

Meaning: A fun word for running away or leaving a place in a hurry.

For Example: The park ranger told the raccoons to skedaddle from the picnic area. / We heard thunder and had to skedaddle inside.

Other Ways to Say: Hurry away / Run off

15. Blow this popsicle stand Meaning: A slang expression for leaving a boring or dull place.

Meaning: A slang expression for leaving a boring or dull place.

For Example: Once the meeting ended, he whispered that it was time to blow this popsicle stand. / Let’s finish our chores and blow this popsicle stand.

Other Ways to Say: Leave here / Depart room

16. Pull up stakes Meaning: To pack up all your belongings and move away to a new home.

Meaning: To pack up all your belongings and move away to a new home.

For Example: After living in town for ten years, the family decided to pull up stakes. / Moving across the country meant the pioneers had to pull up stakes.

Other Ways to Say: Move away / Relocate

17. Skip town Meaning: To leave a place in a hurry, often secretly.

Meaning: To leave a place in a hurry, often secretly.

For Example: In mystery stories, the suspect tries to skip town before the police arrive. / He joked about wanting to skip town during finals week.

Other Ways to Say: Flee / Leave secretly

18. Turn on your heel Meaning: To spin around abruptly and walk away in the opposite direction.

Meaning: To spin around abruptly and walk away in the opposite direction.

For Example: She felt insulted by the remark and turned on her heel to leave. / He heard his name called, turned on his heel, and walked back.

Other Ways to Say: Spin around / Walk away

19. Give the boot Meaning: To force someone to leave or fire them from a job.

Meaning: To force someone to leave or fire them from a job.

For Example: Breaking school rules repeatedly will get you given the boot from the club. / The manager gave the lazy worker the boot.

Other Ways to Say: Fire / Dismiss

20. Show the door Meaning: Telling someone politely or firmly to leave a building.

Meaning: Telling someone politely or firmly to leave a building.

For Example: The store owner had to show the noisy customer the door. / Rude behavior means the host will show you the door.

Other Ways to Say: Kick out / Escort out

21. Hit the bricks Meaning: An old slang term telling someone to leave a place.

Meaning: An old slang term telling someone to leave a place.

For Example: The boss told the lazy workers to hit the bricks. / When arguments started, he told everyone to hit the bricks.

Other Ways to Say: Leave / Get out

22. Off to the races Meaning: Leaving quickly to start an exciting new activity.

Meaning: Leaving quickly to start an exciting new activity.

For Example: We grabbed our backpacks and were off to the races for summer vacation. / Once the bell rang, it was off to the races for recess games.

Other Ways to Say: Depart fast / Start rushing

23. Head for the hills Meaning: To run away to a safe place when trouble starts.

Meaning: To run away to a safe place when trouble starts.

For Example: When the silly prank went wrong, everyone started to head for the hills. / The mice saw the cat and decided to head for the hills.

Other Ways to Say: Flee / Run for safety

24. Bound for glory Meaning: Leaving on a journey toward success and fame.

Meaning: Leaving on a journey toward success and fame.

For Example: The young musicians packed their guitars, bound for glory in the city. / The talented athletes left the locker room, bound for glory.

Other Ways to Say: Traveling to success / Heading for victory

25. Ride off into the sunset Meaning: Leaving happily at the end of a journey or story.

Meaning: Leaving happily at the end of a journey or story.

For Example: The heroes finished their adventure and rode off into the sunset. / At the end of the western movie, the cowboy rode off into the sunset.

Other Ways to Say: Depart happily / Leave into distance

26. Break camp Meaning: Packing up tents and leaving a campsite.

Meaning: Packing up tents and leaving a campsite.

For Example: Sunday morning arrived, and it was time for the scouts to break camp. / We ate breakfast and began to break camp quickly.

Other Ways to Say: Leave campsite / Pack up

27. Weigh anchor Meaning: Raising the boat anchor to leave a port or harbor.

Meaning: Raising the boat anchor to leave a port or harbor.

For Example: The sailors prepared to weigh anchor as the morning tide came in. / Weighing anchor allowed the ship to leave the dock smoothly.

Other Ways to Say: Lift anchor / Sail away

28. Cast off Meaning: Untying a boat’s ropes from the dock to depart.

Meaning: Untying a boat’s ropes from the dock to depart.

For Example: The captain shouted instructions to cast off the ropes. / We untied the boat and began to cast off into the lake.

Other Ways to Say: Untie dock ropes / Sail away

29. Desert the ship Meaning: To leave a failing project or sinking group.

Meaning: To leave a failing project or sinking group.

For Example: When the group project got difficult, he tried to desert the ship. / A loyal teammate will never desert the ship during hard times.

Other Ways to Say: Abandon / Quit group

30. Jump ship Meaning: To leave a job, team, or project for something else.

Meaning: To leave a job, team, or project for something else.

For Example: Several players decided to jump ship and join the rival soccer club. / Don’t jump ship just because the project got a little tricky.

Other Ways to Say: Quit / Abandon team

31. Give notice Meaning: Informing an employer officially that you are leaving your job.

Meaning: Informing an employer officially that you are leaving your job.

For Example: She decided to give notice two weeks before moving to a new city. / Giving notice allows bosses time to find a replacement worker.

Other Ways to Say: Resign / Announce departure

32. Hand in resignation Meaning: Submitting formal paperwork to leave a job.

Meaning: Submitting formal paperwork to leave a job.

For Example: He wrote his letter and went to hand in resignation at the office. / Choosing a new career meant she had to hand in resignation.

Other Ways to Say: Quit job / Step down

33. Stepping down Meaning: Voluntarily leaving a leadership role or position.

Meaning: Voluntarily leaving a leadership role or position.

For Example: The club president announced she was stepping down after two years. / He felt it was time for someone else to lead, so he stepped down.

Other Ways to Say: Leave role / Resign

34. Parting ways Meaning: When two people or groups separate and go in different directions.

Meaning: When two people or groups separate and go in different directions.

For Example: After walking together to the corner, the friends ended up parting ways. / The business partners decided on parting ways after a disagreement.

Other Ways to Say: Separate / Go separate directions

35. Saying your goodbyes Meaning: Offering farewell remarks before departing a place.

Meaning: Offering farewell remarks before departing a place.

For Example: We spent ten minutes saying our goodbyes before getting on the bus. / Saying your goodbyes at the airport can feel bittersweet.

Other Ways to Say: Bid farewell / Say bye

36. Bidding adieu Meaning: Saying a formal or graceful farewell in French style.

Meaning: Saying a formal or graceful farewell in French style.

For Example: The exchange student spent the afternoon bidding adieu to teachers. / Standing at the train station, he was bidding adieu to friends.

Other Ways to Say: Say goodbye / Farewell

37. Slipping out the back Meaning: Leaving a building secretly through a rear exit.

Meaning: Leaving a building secretly through a rear exit.

For Example: He didn’t want to talk to reporters, so he tried slipping out the back. / The shy guest decided on slipping out the back door.

Other Ways to Say: Sneak out rear / Quiet exit

38. Bunking off early Meaning: Leaving school or work prematurely without permission.

Meaning: Leaving school or work prematurely without permission.

For Example: He got caught bunking off early from afternoon practice. / Skipping chores by bunking off early is against the rules.

Other Ways to Say: Leave early / Sneak away

39. Playing hooky Meaning: Staying away from school or work without a valid excuse.

Meaning: Staying away from school or work without a valid excuse.

For Example: In stories, characters sometimes get into trouble for playing hooky. / Staying home to play video games instead of school is playing hooky.

Other Ways to Say: Skip school / Truancy

40. Walking off the job Meaning: Leaving work angrily and unexpectedly in the middle of a shift.

Meaning: Leaving work angrily and unexpectedly in the middle of a shift.

For Example: The angry worker threatened walking off the job over unfair rules. / Walking off the job causes problems for your teammates.

Other Ways to Say: Quit suddenly / Abandon work

41. Dropping out Meaning: Leaving school or a competitive program permanently.

Meaning: Leaving school or a competitive program permanently.

For Example: Education is important, so nobody should consider dropping out. / He found the class too hard, but he stayed instead of dropping out.

Other Ways to Say: Quit school / Leave program

42. Punching out Meaning: Recording the exact time you leave work on a time clock.

Meaning: Recording the exact time you leave work on a time clock.

For Example: Dad smiled when punching out at five o’clock on Friday. / Make sure you log your hours before punching out.

Other Ways to Say: Clock out / Leave work

43. Closing shop Meaning: Locking up a store or ending work for the day.

Meaning: Locking up a store or ending work for the day.

For Example: The bakers started cleaning counters and closing shop at sunset. / We finished selling lemonade and began closing shop.

Other Ways to Say: End work / Lock up

44. Heading home Meaning: Traveling back to your house after finishing out obligations.

Meaning: Traveling back to your house after finishing out obligations.

For Example: The final school bell rang, and everyone started heading home. / We packed our backpacks and began heading home.

Other Ways to Say: Return home / Go back

45. Hitting the hay Meaning: Leaving a social gathering to go sleep in bed.

Meaning: Leaving a social gathering to go sleep in bed.

For Example: After the long party, we said goodbye and started hitting the hay. / It is midnight, so I am heading upstairs and hitting the hay.

Other Ways to Say: Go to sleep / Retire for night

46. Calling it a night Meaning: Decidedly stopping activities and leaving to rest.

Meaning: Decidedly stopping activities and leaving to rest.

For Example: We finished our puzzle and decided to be calling it a night. / The working crew packed their tools, calling it a night.

Other Ways to Say: Stop working / Go to bed

47. Pulling up stakes and leaving Meaning: Packing everything and departing a location for good.

Meaning: Packing everything and departing a location for good.

For Example: They sold their house and were pulling up stakes and leaving town. / Moving to a farm meant pulling up stakes and leaving the city.

Other Ways to Say: Relocate / Move away

48. Bidding farewell Meaning: Expressing warm good wishes to people as you depart.

Meaning: Expressing warm good wishes to people as you depart.

For Example: The graduation speaker spent time bidding farewell to the seniors. / We stood on the porch, bidding farewell to our cousins.

Other Ways to Say: Say goodbye / Wish well

49. Making tracks in a hurry Meaning: Running away or leaving a place very fast.

Meaning: Running away or leaving a place very fast.

For Example: Seeing the thunderstorm approach meant making tracks in a hurry. / We grabbed our coats and started making tracks in a hurry.

Other Ways to Say: Rush away / Flee fast

50. Leaving the nest Meaning: Young people moving out of their parents’ home to live independently.

Meaning: Young people moving out of their parents’ home to live independently.

For Example: Going away to college feels like leaving the nest for young adults. / Birds raise chicks until the time comes for leaving the nest.

Other Ways to Say: Move out / Gain independence

51. Cutting ties Meaning: Ending a relationship permanently and walking away.

Meaning: Ending a relationship permanently and walking away.

For Example: After repeated arguments, they decided on cutting ties completely. / Moving away meant cutting ties with his old routine.

Other Ways to Say: End relationship / Sever connections

52. Breaking away Meaning: Escaping a group or running off in a new direction.

Meaning: Escaping a group or running off in a new direction.

For Example: The lead runner started breaking away from the pack on the track. / He wanted independence, so he started breaking away from family traditions.

Other Ways to Say: Separate / Pull away

53. Taking French leave Meaning: Leaving a place secretly without saying goodbye to anyone.

Meaning: Leaving a place secretly without saying goodbye to anyone.

For Example: He got tired of the noisy party and ended up taking French leave. / Sneaking out without telling the host is taking French leave.

Other Ways to Say: Sneak away / Leave secretly

54. Ghosting Meaning: Suddenly stopping communication and disappearing from a social group.

Meaning: Suddenly stopping communication and disappearing from a social group.

For Example: Leaving a group chat without a word is modernly known as ghosting. / Good friends avoid ghosting when plans change.

Other Ways to Say: Disappear / Vanish silently

55. Pulling a vanishing act Meaning: Disappearing or leaving a place very suddenly.

Meaning: Disappearing or leaving a place very suddenly.

For Example: Whenever it was time to do chores, he pulled a vanishing act. / The magician’s assistant pulled a vanishing act off the stage.

Other Ways to Say: Disappear / Vanish

56. Taking off like a shot Meaning: Departing with incredible speed instantly.

Meaning: Departing with incredible speed instantly.

For Example: When the starting gun fired, the runner was taking off like a shot. / The frightened cat saw the dog and was taking off like a shot.

Other Ways to Say: Run fast / Leave instantly

57. Hitting the exit Meaning: Moving quickly toward a door to leave a building.

Meaning: Moving quickly toward a door to leave a building.

For Example: As soon as the movie ended, everyone started hitting the exit. / We grabbed our jackets and rushed toward hitting the exit.

Other Ways to Say: Head for door / Leave room

58. Making an exit Meaning: Departing from a room or stage in a noticeable way.

Meaning: Departing from a room or stage in a noticeable way.

For Example: He bowed to the audience before making an exit stage left. / She said goodbye politely before making an exit.

Other Ways to Say: Leave / Depart

59. Walking away Meaning: Leaving a difficult argument, job, or relationship behind.

Meaning: Leaving a difficult argument, job, or relationship behind.

For Example: Sometimes walking away from drama is the best choice you can make. / He decided on walking away from the unfair game.

Other Ways to Say: Leave / Depart

60. Final departure Meaning: The absolute last time you leave a place for good.

Meaning: The absolute last time you leave a place for good.

For Example: The train schedule listed the final departure time for midnight. / Packing the last box marked our final departure from the old house.

Other Ways to Say: Last leaving / Final exit

Exercise to Practice

1. We packed our bags and were ready to hit the ________ early in the morning.
2. The airplane began to ________ off down the long runway.
3. We need to ________ tracks if we want to catch the school bus on time.
4. She grabbed her red backpack and ran right out the ________.
5. We laced up our hiking boots and started hitting the ________.
6. Pack your ________ because we are visiting the beach tomorrow!
7. The pirate crew raised the anchor and prepared to set ________.
8. We finished eating breakfast and decided to ________ out for the park.
9. When the loud noise started outside, the kids decided to ________ the scene.
10. The student felt so upset by the unfair rule that he wanted to walk ________.
11. He decided to ________ away from the crowded party early.
12. When it started to thunder, we had to high ________ it back home.
13. The park ranger told the raccoons to ________ from the picnic area.
14. After living in town for ten years, the family decided to pull up ________.
15. In mystery stories, the suspect tries to skip ________ before the police arrive.

Answer Key

1. road
2. take
3. make
4. door
5. trail
6. bags
7. sail
8. head
9. split
10. out
11. slip
12. tail
13. skedaddle
14. stakes
15. town

Conclusion

Learning idioms for leaving helps you understand stories, travel adventures, and everyday expressions of departure much better. When you know what these colorful phrases mean, you can use them to describe heading out and saying goodbye in your own writing.

Try using a few of these expressions the next time you pack your bags or leave for school. Practicing them out loud is a great way to remember them and make your communication sound awesome.