- 1a period of time when you are allowed to be away from work for a vacation or for a special reason to take a month's paid/unpaid leave soldiers home on leave to be on maternity leave How much annual leave do you get? see compassionate leave, sick leave
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- 2(formal) official permission to do something to be absent without leave leave to do something The court granted him leave to appeal against the sentence. She asked for a leave of absence (= permission to be away from work) to attend a funeral. Idioms
to ask someone for permission to do something I beg leave to add a few comments of my own.
with your permission
to say goodbye With a nod and a smile, she took leave of her friends.
to start behaving as if you are crazy
without asking permission; rudely He walked straight in, without so much as a by your leave.
Check pronunciation: leave