[VERB 动词]离开(某处或某人) If you leave a place or person, you go away from that place or person.
[V n]
[V]
[V for n]
He would not be allowed to leave the country...
他可能会被禁止离开该国。
I simply couldn't bear to leave my little girl...
我就是受不了要离开我的小女儿。
My flight leaves in less than an hour...
我乘坐的航班一小时内起飞。
The last of the older children had left for school.
年龄较大的几个孩子中,最后一个也已经上学去了。
2
[VERB 动词]脱离;退出;辞去 If you leave an institution, group, or job, you permanently stop attending that institution, being a member of that group, or doing that job.
[V n]
[V]
[V-ing]
He left school with no qualifications...
他没有获得任何学历证书便离开了学校。
I am leaving to concentrate on writing fiction.
我辞职是为了专心写小说。
...a leaving present.
告别礼物
3
[VERB 动词]抛下,离弃(配偶);离开(关系亲密的人) If you leave your husband, wife, or some other person with whom you have had a close relationship, you stop living with them or you finish the relationship.
[V n]
[V n for n]
[Also V]
He'll never leave you. You need have no worry...
他不会离开你的,你不用担心。
I would be insanely jealous if Bill left me for another woman.
要是比尔为了别的女人离开我,我会醋意大发。
4
[VERB 动词]放下;丢下;把…交给 If you leave something or someone in a particular place, you let them remain there when you go away. If you leave something or someone with a person, you let them remain with that person so they are safe while you are away.
[V n prep/adv]
[V n with n]
I left my bags in the car...
我把包放在车里了。
Don't leave your truck there...
别把货车停在那儿。
From the moment that Philippe had left her in the bedroom at the hotel, she had heard nothing of him...
自菲利普把她独自丢在酒店房间后,她就再也没有听到他的消息了。
Leave your key with a neighbour in case you lock yourself out one day.
给邻居留把钥匙,以防有朝一日把自己反锁在外面。
5
[VERB 动词]留(信息、口信) If you leave a message or an answer, you write it, record it, or give it to someone so that it can be found or passed on.
[V n prep/adv]
[V n]
[V n with n]
You can leave a message on our answering machine...
您可以在我们的答录机上留言。
Decide whether the ball is in square A, B, C, or D, then call and leave your answer...
选定球放在A、B、C、D哪个方格,然后打电话来,留下您的答案。
I left my phone number with several people.
我把电话号码留给了几个人。
6
[VERB 动词]剩下,留下(某人做某事) If you leave someone doing something, they are doing that thing when you go away from them.
[V n -ing]
Salter drove off, leaving Callendar surveying the scene.
索尔特开车走了,剩下卡伦德勘查现场。
7
[VERB 动词]听任(某人做某事);听(某人)自便 If you leave someone to do something, you go away from them so that they do it on their own. If you leave someone to himself or herself, you go away from them and allow them to be alone.
[V n to-inf]
[V n to it]
[be V-ed to pron-refl]
[V n to n]
[Also V n to pron-refl]
I'd better leave you to get on with it, then...
那我还是让你一个人接着干吧。
Diana took the hint and left them to it...
戴安娜会意,任由他们自己去解决。
One of the advantages of a department store is that you are left to yourself to try things on...
逛百货公司的其中一个优势是顾客可自行试穿衣服。
He quietly slipped away and left me to my tears.
他悄悄溜走了,独剩我一人落泪。
8
[VERB 动词]留出(一定的量)备用 To leave an amount of something means to keep it available after the rest has been used or taken away.
[V n for n]
[V n n]
He always left a little food for the next day...
他总是留下一点儿食物第二天吃。
Double rooms at any of the following hotels should leave you some change from £150.
以下任何一间酒店的双人房价格都不到150英镑。
9
[VERB 动词](数目相减后)剩余,余下 If you take one number away from another, you can say that it leaves the number that remains. For example, five take away two leaves three.
10
[VERB 动词](尤指把令人不快或困难的事)留给,扔给(某人) To leave someone with something, especially when that thing is unpleasant or difficult to deal with, means to make them have it or make them responsible for it.
[V n with n]
...a crash which left him with a broken collarbone...
造成他锁骨骨折的车祸
He left me with a child to support.
他扔下我独自拉扯一个孩子。
11
[VERB 动词]招致;造成 If an event leaves people or things in a particular state, they are in that state when the event has finished.
[V n adj]
[V n prep/adv]
...violent disturbances which have left at least ten people dead...
造成至少10人死亡的暴乱
The documentary left me in a state of shock...
那部纪录片使我大为震惊。
So where does that leave me?
那么我的境况又会如何呢?
12
[VERB 动词](常指因不喜欢而)不碰(食物或饮料) If you leave food or drink, you do not eat or drink it, often because you do not like it.
[V n]
If you don't like the cocktail you ordered, just leave it and try a different one.
你要是不喜欢你要的鸡尾酒,就别喝了,要点别的吧。
13
[VERB 动词]留下(痕迹、影响等) If something leaves a mark, effect, or sign, it causes that mark, effect, or sign to remain as a result.
[V n]
A muscle tear will leave a scar after healing...
肌肉撕裂复原后会留下疤痕。
She left a lasting impression on him.
她给他留下了难以忘怀的印象。
14
[VERB 动词]使处于(某个状态或位置) If you leave something in a particular state, position, or condition, you let it remain in that state, position, or condition.
[V n adj]
[V n adv/prep]
[V n -ing]
He left the album open on the table...
他把相册摊在桌上没收。
I've left the car lights on...
我没把车灯关掉。
I left the engine running.
我动机一直开着。
15
[VERB 动词](有意)留出(空间) If you leave a space or gap in something, you deliberately make that space or gap.
[V n]
Leave a gap at the top and bottom so air can circulate.
上下各留一个口子通风。
16
[VERB 动词]把(工作)交托;把(决定或选择权)留交 If you leave a job, decision, or choice to someone, you give them the responsibility for dealing with it or making it.
[V n to n]
[V itto n to-inf]
[V n to-inf]
Affix the blue airmail label and leave the rest to us...
贴上蓝色的空邮标签,其余的事情交给我们。
The judge should not have left it to the jury to decide...
法官本不该把案子交给陪审团来裁定。
For the moment, I leave you to take all decisions.
我把决定权暂时全交给你。
17
[VERB 动词](安排、协议等很大程度上)视乎,取决于 If you say that something such as an arrangement or an agreement leaves a lot to another thing or person, you are critical of it because it is not adequate and its success depends on the other thing or person.
[V amount to n]
[disapproval]
The ceasefire leaves a lot to the goodwill of the forces involved...
停火协议的执行很大程度取决于各方武装力量的意愿。
It's a vague formulation that leaves much to the discretion of local authorities.
这只是个模糊的构想,许多方面还要由地方当局来定夺。
18
[VERB 动词]限制(某人于某一行动或机会) To leave someone with a particular course of action or the opportunity to do something means to let it be available to them, while restricting them in other ways.
[V n n]
[be V-ed with n]
This left me only one possible course of action...
这样我只有一条路可走。
He was left with no option but to resign.
他除了辞职外别无选择。
19
[VERB 动词]搁延(至某一时刻) If you leave something until a particular time, you delay doing it or dealing with it until then.
[V n until/to n]
[V inflects]
Don't leave it all until the last minute.
不要把什么都拖到最后一分钟。
If you leave something too late, you delay doing it so that when you eventually do it, it is useless or ineffective.使坐失良机;使为时已晚
I hope I haven't left it too late.
但愿我没有错失良机。
20
[VERB 动词]搁下,转换(话题) If you leave a particular subject, you stop talking about it and start discussing something else.
[V n]
[V n prep/adv]
I think we'd better leave the subject of Nationalism...
我看我们最好还是搁下民族主义这个话题吧。
He suggested we get together for a drink sometime. I said I'd like that, and we left it there.
他建议我们找个时间出来喝一杯。我说好,然后我们就换了个话题。
21
[VERB 动词](死后)遗留 If you leave property or money to someone, you arrange for it to be given to them after you have died.
[V n to n]
He died two and a half years later, leaving everything to his wife.
他于两年半后去世,把所有遗产都留给了妻子。
22
[VERB 动词](身后)留下(配偶或孩子) If you say that someone leaves a wife, husband, or a particular number of children, you mean that the wife, husband, or children remain alive after that person has died.
[V n]
[no cont]
[FORMAL 正式]
It is for his humanity as much as his music that his numerous friends and pupils will remember him. He leaves a wife, son and daughter.
他的仁爱精神,以及他的音乐,都将长留在无数友人和学生的记忆里。他身后遗下妻子和一对儿女。
23
[N-UNCOUNT 不可数名词]假期;休假Leave is a period of time when you are not working at your job, because you are on holiday or vacation, or for some other reason. If you are on leave, you are not working at your job.
[oft on N]
Why don't you take a few days' leave?
你为什么不休几天假?
...maternity leave...
产假
He is home on leave from the Navy.
他从海军部队休假回到家里。
24
[N-UNCOUNT 不可数名词]准许;许可 If you ask for leave to do something, you ask for permission to do it.
[N to-inf]
[FORMAL 正式]
...an application for leave to appeal against the judge's order.
不服法官指令的上诉申请
25
See also:
left
;
26
[PHRASE 短语]听…自便;随…去;不打扰 If you leave someone or something alone, or if you leave them be, you do not pay them any attention or bother them.
[V inflects]
Some people need to confront a traumatic past; others find it better to leave it alone...
有人需要直面过去的创伤,有人则觉得不去想它为妙。
Why can't you leave him be?
你就不能不管他?
27
[PREP-PHRASE 短语介词]姑莫论;搁置一旁 You use leaving aside or leaving to one side when mentioning a fact or detail that you want to ignore when making a general statement.
[PREP n]
Leaving aside the question of privacy, constant surveillance can be remarkably convenient.
如果不去管隐私问题的话,实施不间断监视其实是非常便利的。
28
[PHRASE 短语]告别;辞别 When you take your leave or take leave of someone, you say goodbye and go.
[V inflects]
[FORMAL 正式]
He thanked them for the pleasure of their company and took his leave.
他感谢他们的愉快陪伴,然后道别走了。
29
[PHRASE 短语]不要弄巧成拙;不要没事找事 If someone tells you to leave well alone, they are telling you not to interfere in something, because it is all right as it is and you might only make it worse.
[V inflects]
He knew when to leave well alone and when to interfere.
他知道什么时候该适可而止,什么时候该插手干预。
30
[PHRASE
短语
](从…)中断之处,停止之处 If something continues from where it left off, it starts happening again at the point where it had previously stopped.
[PHR after v]
As soon as the police disappear the violence will take up from where it left off.
警察一走,暴力事件就会死灰复燃。
31
to leave a lot to be desired→see:
desire
; to leave someone to their own devices→see:
device
; to take leave of your senses→see:
sense
; take it or leave it→see:
take
;
相关词组:
leave behind
leave off
leave out
Oxford
leave★/liːv; NAmEliːv/
verb
,
noun
leaveleavesleftleavingverb★(left,left/left; NAmEleft/)place/person 地方;人1★[intransitive , transitive ]to go away from a person or a place 离开(某人或某处)◆Come on, it's time we left.快点,我们该走了。leavefor… ◆The plane leaves for Dallas at 12.35.飞机于 12:35 起飞前往达拉斯。leavesth ◆I hate leaving home.我讨厌离开家。◆The plane leaves Heathrow at 12.35.飞机于 12:35 在希思罗机场起飞。home/job/school 家;工作;学校2★[intransitive , transitive ]to stop living at a place, belonging to a group, working for an employer, etc. 离开居住地点(或群体、工作单位等)◆My secretary has threatened to leave.我的秘书以辞职相要挟。leavesth ◆( BrE) Some children leave school at 16.有些学生 16 岁就离校了。wife/husband 妻子;丈夫3★[transitive ]leavesb (for sb) to leave your wife, husband or partner permanently 遗弃;丢弃◆She's leaving him for another man.她要抛弃他去跟另一个男人。sth to do later 以后要做的事4★[transitive ]to not do sth or deal with sth immediately 不立刻做;不马上处理leavesth ◆Leave the dishes—I'll do them later.盘子先搁着吧,我等会儿再洗。leavesth until… ◆Why do you always leave everything until the last moment?你怎么什么事都留到最后一刻才处理?sb/sth in condition/place 处于某种状态;在某地方5★[transitive ]to make or allow sb/sth to remain in a particular condition, place, etc. 使保留,让…处于(某种状态、某地等)leavesb/sth (+ adj.) ◆Leave the door open, please.请把门开着吧。◆The bomb blast left 25 people dead.那颗炸弹炸死了 25 个人。leavesb/sth doing sth ◆Don't leave her waiting outside in the rain.别让她在外边雨下等着。leavesb/sth to do sth ◆Leave the rice to cook for 20 minutes.把大米煮 20 分钟。6★[transitive ]to make sth happen or remain as a result 使发生;造成,使留下为(某种结果)leavesth ◆Red wine leaves a stain.红葡萄酒会留下污渍。leavesb with sth ◆She left me with the impression that she was unhappy with her job.她给我的印象是她不满意自己的工作。leavesb sth ◆I'm afraid you leave me no choice.恐怕你没有给我选择的余地。7★be left[transitive ]to remain to be used, sold, etc. 留下备用(或销售等)◆Is there any coffee left?还有咖啡剩下吗?◆How many tickets do you have left?你还剩下多少张票?leaveof sth ◆( figurative) They are fighting to save what is left of their business.他们在拚命抢救他们仅余的业务。leaveto sb ◆The only course of action left to me was to notify her employer.我可以采取的唯一措施就是通知她的雇主。8★[transitive ]to go away from a place without taking sth/sb with you 忘了带;丢下leavesth/sb (+ adv./prep.) ◆I've left my bag on the bus.我把包忘在公共汽车上了。leavesth/sb behind ◆Don't leave any of your belongings behind.别忘了带上自己的随身物品。◆He wasn't well, so we had to leave him behind.他身体不适,因此我们只好把他留下。mathematics 数学9[transitive ]leavesth to have a particular amount remaining 剩余;余下◆Seven from ten leaves three.*10 减 7 得 3。 after death 死后10[transitive ]leavesb to have family remaining after your death 遗下(家人)◆He leaves a wife and two children.他遗下妻子和两个孩子。11★[transitive ]to give sth to sb when you die (去世时)遗赠,遗留SYN
bequeath
leavesth (to sb) ◆She left £1 million to her daughter.她遗留给女儿 100 万英镑。leavesb sth ◆She left her daughter £1 million.她遗留给女儿 100 万英镑。responsibility to sb 留给某人的责任12★[transitive ]to allow sb to take care of sth 把…留交;交托;委托leavesb/sth + adv./prep. ◆You can leave the cooking to me.你可以把做饭的事交给我。◆She left her assistant in charge.她委托助手来负责。◆Leave it with me—I'm sure I can sort it out. 把这事交给我吧,我相信自己可以解决的。◆‘Where shall we eat?’ ‘I'll leave it entirely (up) to you (= you can decide).’ “我们上哪儿吃去?”“我全交给你来决定好了。”◆They left me with all the clearing up.他们把什么都留给我来收拾。leavesb/sth to do sth ◆I was left to cope on my own.就剩下我一个人来单独对付。deliver 递送13★[transitive ]to deliver sth and then go away 递送;递交;投递leavesth (for sb) ◆Someone left this note for you.有人给你送来了这张便条。leavesb sth ◆Someone left you this note.有人给你送来了这张便条。IDIOMSMost idioms containing leaveare at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example leave sb in the lurchis at lurch.大多数含 leave 的习语,都可在该等习语中的名词及形容词相关词条找到,如 leave sb in the lurch 在词条 lurch 下。ˌleave ˈgo (of sth)( BrE) ( informal) to stop holding on to sth 松手;撒手;放开SYN
let go
◆Leave go of my arm—you're hurting me!放开我的手臂,你弄痛我了!leave it at ˈthat( informal) to say or do nothing more about sth 别再说了;到此为止;就这样算了◆We'll never agree, so let's just leave it at that.咱们不可能意见一致,所以这事就这样吧。ˌleave it ˈout( BrE) ( informal) used to tell sb to stop doing sth (让人停止做某事)行啦,就这样吧☞more at
take
PHRASAL VERBSˌleave sth↔aˈsideto not consider sth 不予考虑;搁置一边◆Leaving the expense aside, do we actually need a second car?且不说费用多少,我们真的还需要一辆汽车吗?ˌleave sb/sth beˈhind1[usually passive ]to make much better progress than sb 比…取得好得多的进展;把…抛在后面;超过◆Britain is being left behind in the race for new markets.英国在开拓新市场方面正被甩在后面。2to leave a person, place or state permanently 永久离开(某人、某地或某国)◆She knew that she had left childhood behind.她知道童年已一去不复返了。☞see also
leave
v. (8 )ˌleave ˈoff( informal) to stop doing sth 停止(做某事);中断◆Start reading from where you left off last time.从上次停下来的地方接着读吧。leavedoing sth ◆He left off playing the piano to answer the door.他停止弹钢琴,应门去了。ˌleave sb/sth↔ˈoff (sth)to not include sb/sth on a list, etc. 不把…列入;不包括;不含◆You've left off a zero.你漏掉了一个零。◆We left him off the list.我们未把他列入名单。★ˌleave sb/sth ˈout (of sth)to not include or mention sb/sth in sth 不包括;不提及◆Leave me out of this quarrel, please.请别把我牵扯进这场争吵。◆He hadn't been asked to the party and was feeling very left out.他未被邀请参加聚会,感到颇受冷落。◆She left out an ‘m’ in ‘accommodation’.她在 accommodation 一词中漏掉了一个字母 m。★be ˌleft ˈover (from sth)to remain when all that is needed has been used 剩下;残留◆There was lots of food left over.饭菜剩下了不少。☞related noun
leftover
noun[uncountable ]1a period of time when you are allowed to be away from work for a holiday/vacation or for a special reason 假期;休假◆to take a month's paid/unpaid leave带薪╱不带薪休假一个月◆soldiers home on leave回家休假的士兵◆to be on maternity/study leave休产假;脱产进修◆How much annual leavedo you get? 你们的年假有多少?☞see also
compassionate leave
,
sick leave
2( formal) official permission to do sth 准许;许可◆to be absent without leave未经许可擅离职守leaveto do sth ◆The court granted him leave to appeal against the sentence.法庭准许他对判决提出上诉。◆She asked for leave of absence(= permission to be away from work)to attend a funeral. 她请了假去参加葬礼。IDIOMSˌby/ˌwith your ˈleave( formal) with your permission 如蒙您允许的话;承蒙俯允take ˌleave of your ˈsenses( old-fashioned) to start behaving as if you are crazy 丧失理智;发疯take (your) ˈleave (of sb)( formal) to say goodbye 告辞;辞别◆With a nod and a smile, she took leave of her friends.她点头微笑着向朋友告辞。without a ˌby your ˈleave; without so much as a ˌby your ˈleave( old-fashioned) without asking permission; rudely 擅自;未经许可;粗鲁地;无礼地☞more at
leaveleave1 /liːv/ ●●●S1W1 verb (past tense and past participle left /left/)
Entry menu
Word Origin
Verb Table
Examples
Thesaurus
Collocations
Phrases
1go away [intransitive, transitive] to go away from a place or a person: My baby gets upset when I leave the room. Before leaving the train, make sure you have all your belongings with you. Leave the motorway at Junction 7.leave at The plane leaves at 12.30.leave for I tried calling him, but he’d already left for work.leave (something/somebody) soon/now/later etc If he left immediately, he’d catch the 7.30 train.leave (something/somebody) to do something Frances left work early to meet her mother.leave somebody doing something Never leave children playing near water unattended.leave somebody to something I’ll leave you to it (=go away and let you continue with what you are doing). My youngest boy has not left my side (=has stayed near me) since his daddy was killed.leave somebody in peace (=go away from someone so that they can think, work etc alone) Just a few more questions, then we’ll leave you in peace.2stop [intransitive, transitive] if you leave your job, home, school etc, you permanently stop doing that job, living at home etc: Over the past two years, 20 staffers have left.leave home/school/college etc How old were you when you left home (=your parents’ home)? My daughter got a job after she left school. The lawsuit will be postponed until the president leaves office.leave a job/country/Spain etc Many missionaries were forced to leave the country. It seems that Tony has left the band for good (=permanently).leave (somebody/something) to do something Laura left her native England to live in France.3leave somebody/something alonea)to stop annoying or upsetting someone: Oh, just leave me alone, will you? Leave the boy alone, he can make up his own mind.b)to go away from someone so that they are on their own: Six-year-old Gemma had been left alone in the house.c)to stop touching something: Leave that alone. You’ll break it.d) (also leave well (enough) alone) to stop being involved in or trying to change a situation: Why can’t they just leave well alone and let us concentrate on teaching?4let something/somebody stay [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make or allow something or someone to stay in a place when you go awayleave something/somebody in/with/behind etc Are you leaving the kids with Grandma on Saturday? As soon as I’d shut the door, I realized I’d left the keys inside. Did anybody leave a jacket behind last night? She left her son in the care of a friend.leave somebody to do something He left Ruth to find her own way home. Students were left to their own devices (=left alone and allowed to do whatever they wanted) for long periods.leave somebody for dead The girl had been attacked and left for dead.5not change/move something [transitive] to let something remain in a particular state, position, or conditionleave something on/off/out etc You’ve left your lights on. She must have left the phone off the hook.leave something open/empty/untidy etc I wish you’d stop leaving the door open. The trial left many questions unanswered.leave a space/gap etc Leave the next two lines blank for the tutor’s comments. Drivers should always leave room for cyclists.leave something doing something I’ll just leave the engine running while I go in. Don’t leave tools lying about.leave something to do something Leave the pots to soak overnight.6result of accident/illness/event [transitive] if an event, accident, illness etc leaves you in a particular condition, you are in that condition because of it: An explosion at a chemical plant has left one worker dead and four injured.leave somebody with something Although the infection cleared up, he was left with a persistent cough.leave somebody doing something The incident left her feeling confused and hurt. The announcement has left shareholders nursing huge losses.7be left (also have something left) if something is left, it remains after everything else has gone, been taken away, or used: I’ve only got a few dollars left. There were a couple of seats left at the back. We don’t have much time left. He pointed to what was left of the house (=used when very little is left).All that was left was a pile of bones.leave over After we’ve paid the bills, there’s never much left over. They ate some bread rolls left over from the night before.8letter/message/thing [transitive] to deliver a message, note, package etc for someone or put it somewhere so that they will get it later: She left a message on his answerphone.leave somebody something Can you leave me some money for the bus?leave something with somebody Ian left this note with me.leave something for somebody A guy left these flowers for you.9delay [transitive] to not do something or to do it later than you intended: Leave the dishes. I’ll do them later. So much had been left undone.leave something until the last minute/until last If you leave your preparation until the last minute, you’ll reduce your chances of passing. I left the best bit until last. I want to think about it. Can I leave it for now? I’m afraid you’ve left it too late to change your ticket.leave it at that (=used to say that you will not do any more of something, because you have done enough) Let’s leave it at that for today.10let somebody decide/be responsible [transitive] to let someone else decide something or be responsible for somethingleave something to somebodyLeave it to me. I’ll make sure it gets posted. The choice of specialist subject is left entirely to the students.leave it (up) to somebody to do something I’ll leave it up to you to decide. She leaves it to the reader to draw their own conclusions.leave doing something to somebody Is it okay if I leave writing the results to you?leave something with somebody Leave it with me, I’ll fix it for you. He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens).leave somebody with no choice/option (=force someone to take a particular action) You leave me with no choice but to fire you.leave somebody to do something British English Clive moved to London, leaving Edward to run the Manchester office.11husband/wife etc [intransitive, transitive] to stop living with or having a relationship with your husband, partner etc: Martha was always threatening to leave, but I never believed her.leave somebody for somebody Mr Rushworth left his partner of 10 years for a younger woman.12when you die [transitive]a)to arrange for someone to receive your money, property etc after you dieSYN bequeath: Aunt Alice died, leaving almost $5 million.leave somebody something Hugo left me his mother’s ring. In his will, he had left all his children a small sum of money.leave something to somebody/something Have you thought of leaving a gift to charity after you die?b)leave a wife/children etc used when someone dies before their wife, children etc: PC Davis leaves a wife and three small children.► see thesaurus at
give
13mark [transitive] to make a mark that remains afterwardsleave a mark/stain/scar etc The wine had left a permanent mark on the tablecloth. He staggered to the door, leaving a trail of blood. Make sure that you don’t leave any footprints.14not eat/drink [transitive] if you leave food or drink that you have been given, you do not eat or drink it: ‘I’m really hungry now.’ ‘That’s because you left half your lunch.’ He rose from the table, leaving his brandy untouched.15leave somebody/something standing (also leave somebody/something in the dust American English) informal to be much better, quicker, more successful etc than someone or something else: In terms of fitness, he discovered that Kate left him standing.16leave a lot/something/much to be desired to be very unsatisfactory: Inspectors say health and safety procedures at the factory leave a lot to be desired.17mathematics [transitive] in a sum, to have a particular amount remaining: Three from seven leaves four.18leave something aside/to one side to not think about or consider one part of something for a time, so that you can consider another part of it: Leaving aside for a moment the question of expense, what would your view be of the suggested changes?19leave somebody/something be old-fashioned to not upset, speak to, or annoy someone or to not touch something20leave go/hold of something British English spoken informal to stop holding something21leave it to somebody (to do something) American English spoken informal used to say that no one should be surprised that someone does something, because it is typical or expected of them: Leave it to you to have the whole day planned out!22Elvis/somebody/something has left the building especially American English informal used humorously to emphasize that something is definitely over or that someone has gone and will not return → somebody can take it or leave it
at take1(21)
, → be left holding the baby/bag
at hold1(26)
THESAURUSto leave a placeleave: · Just as I was leaving the house, the phone rang.· We left early to avoid the traffic.go especially spoken to leave somewhere: · Come on, boys, it’s time to go.· When does the next bus go?set off especially British English to leave somewhere and begin a journey: · The following day we set off for Vienna.take off if a plane takes off, it leaves the ground at the beginning of a flight: · Our plane took off late because of the fog.emigrate to leave your own country in order to live permanently in another country: · In 2002, his family emigrated to New Zealand.depart formal to leave – used especially about trains, buses, planes etc: · Coaches depart for the airport every 30 minutes.to leave school/college etcleave especially British English to finish studying at school or college, usually at the age or time when people normally finish: · When James left school, he worked for a while with his father.· She found it hard to get a job after leaving university.graduate to successfully finish your studies at a college or university, or at an American high school: · Kelly graduated from Harvard with a degree in East Asian Studies.· Approximately 80% of Americans graduate from high school.drop out to leave school, college, or university before your course of study has finished, because you do not want to continue with it: · I failed my first year exams and decided to drop out and get a job.quit American English to leave school without finishing your course of study: · He quit school at fourteen to work and help support his family.leave your jobleave: · I left my last job because the salary was so low.· Why don’t you just leave?quit to leave your job permanently because you are not happy with it: · After enduring months of harassment, Mrs Collins decided to quit her job.· I’ve told them I’m quitting.resign to officially announce that you have decided to leave your job: · The company director was forced to resign over the scandal.hand in your notice/resignation to write an official letter to your employer saying that you are going to leave your job on a particular date: · You have to hand in your notice at least four weeks before you leave.retire to leave your job in order to stop working permanently, usually because you have reached the age when most people stop working: · After forty years of working for the bank, Karl retired in May.· He had to retire because of ill health.leave behind phrasal verb1to not take someone or something with you when you leave a place: I think I might have left my wallet behind. He departed for Washington, leaving the children behind with their mother.2if a person, country, or organization is left behind, they do not develop as quickly or make as much progress as other people, countries etc: In class, a child with poor eyesight can soon get left behind. a fear of being left behind by better-organized rivals3 (also leave somebody/something behind you) to permanently stop being involved with a person, place, or situation: It’s time to leave the past behind. Although Armstrong overcame the circumstances of his birth, he never really left New Orleans behind.4 (also leave somebody/something behind you) to move away from someone or something: They had left the city behind and were heading into open country. Sarah, with her long legs, soon left the rest of us far behind.5 (also leave something behind you) to produce a thing or situation that remains after you have gone: He drove off, leaving behind him a trail of blue smoke. the mess the previous government left behindleave off phrasal verb1to stop doing somethingtake up/pick up/continue (something) etc where somebody left off (=continue something that has stopped for a short time) Barry took up the story where Justine had left off.leave off doing something British English informal ‘Will you leave off nagging?’ he snarled.2leave somebody/something off (something) to not include something such as someone’s name in a list or other document: Why was her name left off the list?leave out phrasal verb1to not include someone or something: She outlined the case to him, being careful not to leave anything out.leave somebody/something out of something Kidd has been left out of the team.2be/feel left out to feel that you are not accepted or welcome in a situation: New fathers often feel left out when baby arrives.3leave it out! British English spoken used to tell someone to stop lying, pretending, or being annoying
leave1 verb
leave2 noun
leaveleave2 ●●○S3W3 noun
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1holiday [uncountable] time that you are allowed to spend away from your work, especially in the armed forces: I’ve applied for three days’ leave.on leave navy officers home on leave Your basic annual leave is 20 days.2 maternity/sick/compassionate leave time that you are allowed to spend away from work because you have had a baby, because you are ill, or because of a personal problem such as the death of a relative3leave of absence a period of time that you are allowed to spend away from work for a particular purpose: She’s been given leave of absence to attend a computer course.4permission [uncountable] formal permission to do something: All this was done entirely without my leave.leave to do something a petition for leave to appeal to the European courtgrant/obtain/ask/seek etc leave (to do something) He asked leave to speak to her in private.5without so much as a by your leave old-fashioned without asking permission, in a way that seems very rude: He marched into my office without so much as a by your leave.6take leave of your senses to suddenly start behaving in a strange way: You want to marry him? Have you taken leave of your senses?7take leave of somebody/take your leave formal to say goodbye to someoneCOLLOCATIONS– Meanings 1 & 2ADJECTIVES/NOUN + leaveannual leave (=an amount of time that you are allowed away from work for holidays etc)· Annual leave is 22 days plus public holidays.maternity leave (=time that a mother is allowed away from work to have and take care of a new baby)· Two teachers were off on maternity leave.paternity leave (=time that a father is allowed away from work to take care of a new baby)· He got five days’ paternity leave.parental leave (=time that a parent is allowed away from work to take care of a child)· Parental leave is often unpaid.sick leave (also medical leave American English) (=time that you are allowed away from work because you are ill)· The form must be filled in as soon as you return from sick leave.compassionate leave (=time that you are allowed away from work because someone in your family is very ill or has died)· Eileen was given compassionate leave to go to the funeral.paid/unpaid leave· She took three days unpaid leave in order to help her daughter.home leave (=time that you are allowed to spend at home from a job that is far away, for example in the army, or from prison)· Roberts had failed to return from home leave, and there was a warrant out for his arrest.shore leave (=time that a sailor is allowed to spend on land and away from work)· Hong Kong was a popular place for shore leave.special leave (=time that you are allowed away from work for a special reason)· Some firms grant special leave when you move house.study leave British English (=time that you are allowed away from work because you are taking a course)· The company offers study leave for staff development.sabbatical leave (=time that a teacher is allowed away from work to study or travel)· Headteachers can take sabbatical leave every five years.indefinite leave (=leave without a time limit)· She has gone on indefinite leave, suffering from exhaustion.nounsleave entitlement (=the amount of time that you are allowed to spend away from work on holidays etc)· The normal paid leave entitlement is 20 days.verbshave/get leave· How much annual leave do you get?be entitled to leave (=be allowed to have as leave)· After five years, employees are entitled to 25 days’ leave.go on leave (=start your time away from work)· I’ll get the report to you before you go on leave.take leave (=use the time you are allowed)· I don’t think I’ll be able to take any leave in January because we’re too busy.use (up) leave· I used all my leave in the summertime.give/grant somebody leave· He was given compassionate leave.cancel somebody’s leave (=stop people taking leave)· The Police Department cancelled all leave because of the emergency.