absent without leave

adjective

1. military the full form of AWOL

Idioms and Phrases

Away without permission or explanation, as in Her daughter went to the mall but got in trouble for being absent without leave. The term and its acronym, AWOL, originated in the American military during World War I for soldiers absent from duty without permission (leave). It later was transferred to civilian situations, as in John didn't just cut his Tuesday classes; he went AWOL.

Example Sentences

“Ultimately, there are a bunch of Republicans who don’t want to be there for five minutes a day either, right? And you’d have to charge them the $500 too,” he said, referring to the fine imposed on lawmakers for being “absent without leave.”

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Homeless people were screened, as were any soldiers absent without leave on 28 June 1967.

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The Church's own published list of accused clergy marks his case as "not yet resolved" with no final determination of guilt or innocence, noting simply that he is "AWOL" - absent without leave.

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Walker returned the gun before going absent without leave for three days.

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When Hnezdilov went absent without leave, he went public with demands for a clear time frame for ending military service.

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