Sometimes, we need to say goodbye or move on from a place, a job, or even a group of people. Instead of saying, “I’m leaving,” people often use special sayings to express it. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms are groups of words that mean something different from what the words usually mean.
In this article, we will look at idioms people use when they leave. These expressions can sound fun or interesting, and they help people understand feelings better. You’ll learn what these idioms mean and how to use them in real life. You may even hear some of them in movies or on TV. Ready to learn how people talk about leaving in different ways? Let’s start.
Idioms for Leaving
1. Hit the road
Meaning: To leave a place
Within a Sentence: I packed my bag and hit the road. / We hit the road after dinner.
In Other Words: We left the place. / I started my trip.
2. Take off
Meaning: To leave suddenly
Within a Sentence: He took off when the bell rang. / She took off before we could say bye.
In Other Words: He left quickly. / She left in a hurry.
3. Head out
Meaning: To start leaving
Within a Sentence: I’m about to head out for school. / Dad headed out early for work.
In Other Words: I’m leaving now. / He left the house.
4. Bounce
Meaning: To leave (informal and casual)
Within a Sentence: This party is boring, I’m gonna bounce. / Let’s bounce before it gets dark.
In Other Words: I’m leaving. / Let’s go now.
5. Take a hike
Meaning: To go away (often said when annoyed)
Within a Sentence: He told me to take a hike after our fight. / I told the bully to take a hike.
In Other Words: Leave me alone. / Go away.
6. Split
Meaning: To leave quickly
Within a Sentence: We split before the storm started. / He split as soon as he heard the news.
In Other Words: We left fast. / He left right away.
7. Make tracks
Meaning: To start leaving
Within a Sentence: It’s late, we should make tracks. / They made tracks before sunset.
In Other Words: Let’s get going. / They started to leave.
8. Duck out
Meaning: To leave quietly
Within a Sentence: I ducked out of the room during the movie. / She ducked out before the test.
In Other Words: I left quietly. / She slipped out.
9. Say goodbye
Meaning: To leave a place or person
Within a Sentence: We said goodbye to Grandma. / He said goodbye and left for camp.
In Other Words: We told her we were leaving. / He left after saying bye.
10. Move on
Meaning: To leave something behind and start something new
Within a Sentence: I moved on from my old school. / She moved on after the team ended.
In Other Words: I left the past behind. / She started something new.
11. Pack up
Meaning: To gather things and leave
Within a Sentence: We packed up after the game. / Time to pack up and go home.
In Other Words: We got our stuff and left. / It’s time to leave.
12. Check out
Meaning: To leave a hotel or place
Within a Sentence: We checked out of the hotel this morning. / Let’s check out before lunch.
In Other Words: We left the hotel. / Time to go.
13. Take a walk
Meaning: To leave, often when annoyed
Within a Sentence: He told me to take a walk after I teased him. / I took a walk to cool off.
In Other Words: He wanted me to go away. / I left for a break.
14. Call it a day
Meaning: To stop and leave for the day
Within a Sentence: We finished our work and called it a day. / Let’s call it a day and go home.
In Other Words: We stopped and left. / We’re done here.
15. Be on your way
Meaning: To be leaving or starting to leave
Within a Sentence: I’m on my way now. / She was on her way when it started to rain.
In Other Words: I’m leaving now. / She had already left.
16. Roll out
Meaning: To leave a place, usually in a group
Within a Sentence: We rolled out after the movie ended. / The team rolled out early.
In Other Words: We all left. / They left together.
17. Say your goodbyes
Meaning: To say goodbye before leaving
Within a Sentence: Say your goodbyes, we’re heading out. / He said his goodbyes to the class.
In Other Words: Say bye before you go. / He told everyone goodbye.
18. Take your leave
Meaning: To go away politely
Within a Sentence: He took his leave after dinner. / I took my leave when it got late.
In Other Words: He left. / I quietly left.
19. Get going
Meaning: To begin leaving
Within a Sentence: Let’s get going, it’s late. / I got going after the meeting.
In Other Words: Let’s leave now. / I started to leave.
20. Slip away
Meaning: To leave without being noticed
Within a Sentence: I slipped away during the break. / She slipped away while they were talking.
In Other Words: I left quietly. / She left without anyone seeing.
21. Clear out
Meaning: To leave a place quickly
Within a Sentence: We cleared out when the fire alarm rang. / Time to clear out, folks.
In Other Words: We left fast. / Let’s leave now.
22. Get out of Dodge
Meaning: To leave a place quickly (often from trouble)
Within a Sentence: Let’s get out of Dodge before it gets worse. / He got out of Dodge after the argument.
In Other Words: Let’s leave fast. / He left to avoid trouble.
23. Leave the nest
Meaning: To leave home and live on your own
Within a Sentence: She left the nest after college. / He’s ready to leave the nest.
In Other Words: She moved out. / He wants to live alone.
24. Bow out
Meaning: To leave politely, often from a group
Within a Sentence: I bowed out of the game. / He bowed out of the team this year.
In Other Words: I left the group. / He quit nicely.
25. Say farewell
Meaning: To say goodbye
Within a Sentence: They said farewell at the airport. / I said farewell to my old school.
In Other Words: They said goodbye. / I left with kind words.
26. Take your exit
Meaning: To leave
Within a Sentence: I took my exit when it got loud. / She took her exit after dinner.
In Other Words: I left. / She went home.
27. Step out
Meaning: To go out briefly
Within a Sentence: I’m stepping out for lunch. / She stepped out to get some air.
In Other Words: I’m leaving for a bit. / She left for a short time.
28. Move away
Meaning: To leave a place and live somewhere else
Within a Sentence: We moved away last year. / She moved away for her job.
In Other Words: We changed homes. / She left town.
29. Get lost
Meaning: To go away (often rude)
Within a Sentence: He told me to get lost after the joke. / I said “get lost” to the rude kid.
In Other Words: Go away. / Leave me alone.
30. Skip town
Meaning: To leave a place suddenly
Within a Sentence: He skipped town after the contest. / She skipped town before the test.
In Other Words: He left without telling anyone. / She left quickly.
31. Hit the pavement
Meaning: To start walking or leaving
Within a Sentence: We hit the pavement after the bell rang. / Time to hit the pavement.
In Other Words: We started leaving. / Let’s go.
32. Cut out
Meaning: To leave quickly
Within a Sentence: I gotta cut out now. / They cut out before the rain started.
In Other Words: I need to go. / They left early.
33. Take a powder
Meaning: To leave in a hurry
Within a Sentence: He took a powder after the mix-up. / She took a powder during lunch.
In Other Words: He left fast. / She went away quickly.
34. Pull out
Meaning: To leave a place, especially in a vehicle
Within a Sentence: The bus pulled out of the station. / We pulled out after breakfast.
In Other Words: The bus left. / We drove away.
35. Bail out
Meaning: To leave or quit
Within a Sentence: He bailed out of the game early. / She bailed out when it got tough.
In Other Words: He left the game. / She quit.
36. Go away
Meaning: To leave or leave someone alone
Within a Sentence: Please go away, I’m busy. / He went away for the summer.
In Other Words: Leave now. / He left town.
37. Back out
Meaning: To leave or cancel plans
Within a Sentence: She backed out of the trip. / He backed out last minute.
In Other Words: She quit. / He didn’t go.
38. Say so long
Meaning: To say goodbye
Within a Sentence: I said so long to my friend. / She said so long and walked away.
In Other Words: I said goodbye. / She left.
39. Pull the plug
Meaning: To stop and leave
Within a Sentence: We pulled the plug on the plan. / They pulled the plug on the show.
In Other Words: We quit. / They ended it.
40. Go out the door
Meaning: To leave a place
Within a Sentence: I went out the door after class. / He ran out the door.
In Other Words: I left. / He exited quickly.
41. Say so long
Meaning: To say goodbye
Within a Sentence: I said so long before heading to the airport. / She said so long to her classmates.
In Other Words: I told them goodbye. / She left after saying goodbye.
42. Punch out
Meaning: To leave work
Within a Sentence: He punched out at 5 PM. / I punched out after my shift.
In Other Words: He ended work. / I left work.
43. Clock out
Meaning: To finish work and leave
Within a Sentence: I clocked out and went home. / She clocked out after the meeting.
In Other Words: I finished work. / She left her job for the day.
44. Walk out
Meaning: To leave suddenly, especially in protest
Within a Sentence: The players walked out of practice. / He walked out after the argument.
In Other Words: They left quickly. / He exited in anger.
45. Peel out
Meaning: To leave in a car very fast
Within a Sentence: He peeled out of the driveway. / They peeled out after hearing the news.
In Other Words: He left in a hurry. / They drove off fast.
46. Skip out
Meaning: To leave without telling anyone
Within a Sentence: She skipped out before the clean-up. / He skipped out during lunch.
In Other Words: She left quietly. / He snuck away.
47. Jet
Meaning: To leave quickly (slang)
Within a Sentence: I gotta jet, it’s late. / We jetted after the movie.
In Other Words: I need to go. / We left fast.
48. Shove off
Meaning: To go away (informal)
Within a Sentence: They told us to shove off. / I shoved off after the bell rang.
In Other Words: Leave now. / I went away.
49. Take the plunge
Meaning: To decide to leave or move forward
Within a Sentence: I took the plunge and moved to a new school. / She took the plunge and left the team.
In Other Words: I chose to leave. / She decided to go.
50. Exit stage left
Meaning: To leave in a calm or quiet way
Within a Sentence: I exited stage left after my speech. / She exited stage left to avoid more questions.
In Other Words: I left quietly. / She walked away without fuss.
51. Ride off into the sunset
Meaning: To leave happily or peacefully
Within a Sentence: They rode off into the sunset after the party. / He rode off into the sunset with a smile.
In Other Words: They left feeling good. / He left happily.
52. Say so
Meaning: To speak up and then leave
Within a Sentence: He said so and walked away. / She said so and left the room.
In Other Words: He spoke his mind and left. / She shared her thoughts and went.
53. Show yourself out
Meaning: To leave without needing help
Within a Sentence: I’ll show myself out. / She showed herself out after the visit.
In Other Words: I can leave alone. / She exited without help.
54. Head for the hills
Meaning: To run away quickly
Within a Sentence: We headed for the hills when we heard the noise. / He headed for the hills after the prank.
In Other Words: We ran off. / He left fast.
55. Pull away
Meaning: To leave by vehicle
Within a Sentence: The car pulled away from the house. / He pulled away after waving goodbye.
In Other Words: The car left. / He drove off.
56. Get cracking
Meaning: To start leaving or doing something fast
Within a Sentence: Let’s get cracking, we’re late. / I got cracking after the phone call.
In Other Words: Let’s go now. / I started to leave quickly.
57. Tap out
Meaning: To quit or leave because you’re tired
Within a Sentence: I tapped out after practice. / She tapped out and went home.
In Other Words: I gave up. / She left because she was tired.
58. Walk away
Meaning: To leave calmly
Within a Sentence: I walked away from the fight. / He walked away after finishing his turn.
In Other Words: I left without trouble. / He calmly left.
59. Fade out
Meaning: To leave slowly and quietly
Within a Sentence: She faded out of the group. / He faded out of the chat.
In Other Words: She left without saying much. / He slowly stopped joining.
60. Make your exit
Meaning: To leave, often politely or on purpose
Within a Sentence: I made my exit after the speech. / She made her exit during the break.
In Other Words: I left. / She walked out.
True/False Quiz: Idioms for Leaving
- “Hit the road” means someone is starting to leave.
☐ True ☐ False - If someone says “Take off,” they are asking you to fly a plane.
☐ True ☐ False - “Duck out” means someone is loudly yelling goodbye.
☐ True ☐ False - “Call it a day” means someone is done and ready to leave.
☐ True ☐ False - “Make tracks” means someone is walking in the mud.
☐ True ☐ False - When someone “checks out,” they might be leaving a hotel.
☐ True ☐ False - “Say your goodbyes” means you’re about to stay for a long time.
☐ True ☐ False - “Slip away” means someone left quietly without others noticing.
☐ True ☐ False - “Move on” means to keep thinking about the past.
☐ True ☐ False - “Clear out” means to clean your room, not leave it.
☐ True ☐ False - “Get out of Dodge” means to leave a place quickly.
☐ True ☐ False - “Bow out” means someone stayed and kept playing.
☐ True ☐ False - “Punch out” means to start working for the day.
☐ True ☐ False - “Ride off into the sunset” means someone left in a happy or peaceful way.
☐ True ☐ False - “Head for the hills” means someone is running away quickly.
☐ True ☐ False
Answer Key
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
People don’t always say “I’m leaving” in the same way. Instead, they use idioms to make their words more interesting. These idioms help us understand how someone feels when they go away, happy, quiet, fast, or even upset.
Now that you know these expressions, you might hear them in shows, books, or from friends. Try using some when you talk. It can make your speaking and writing more fun and clear. Keep learning, and you’ll get better at knowing what others really mean when they say something like “hit the road” or “slip away.”
