by-your-leave

[bahy-yer-leev]

noun

1. an apology for not having sought permission.

by-your-leave

noun

1. a request for permission (esp in the phrase without so much as a by-your-leave )

Word History and Origins

Origin of by-your-leave¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

If Chris’ idea of “doing you a favor” is unilaterally telling your kid “Hey, call me Dad” without so much as a by-your-leave beforehand, I’m concerned about what else he might think is a favor.

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Without so much as a by-your-leave from Mama or Aunt Loma, Miss Love was planning on getting rid of Granny’s belongings!

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Without so much as a knock or a by-your-leave, he stalked through the door, brushing past me, eased the saddle to the floor, and, seeing nothing but her, moved down the hall toward Miss Love.

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Turned up uninvited one afternoon and without so much as a by-your-leave, she flushed them down the lavvy!

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“I am so outraged that they would do this without so much as a by-your-leave,” she told reporters.

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