by-your-leave
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of by-your-leave
First recorded in 1910–15
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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.
From Slate ● Nov. 28, 2020
Her health minister harrumphed about international “free agents” doing as they pleased without so much as a by-your-leave from the Liberian government.
From New York Times ● Oct. 30, 2014
Not content with this bizarre behavior, and without so much as a by-your-leave, he proceeded to distribute pieces of my entree onto the plates of the other diners.
From Slate ● May 18, 2013
Without a by-your-leave from other southern Governors, who have an equal grievance against the railroads, Arnall bypassed the lower courts, rushed Georgia's case right to the Supreme Court.
From Time Magazine Archive
Without so much as a by-your-leave from Mama or Aunt Loma, Miss Love was planning on getting rid of Granny’s belongings!
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
