duck out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "duck out" is a correct and commonly used expression in written English.
It most commonly means to leave or depart from a situation quickly and unexpectedly, usually to avoid a responsibility or unpleasantness. For example: "When the meeting started to get heated, John decided to duck out before things got out of hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the after-party, a director's son proposed that they duck out for drinks.

The New Yorker

If he does not feel up to the job, he should duck out now.

The Economist

Lissome models shimmer like herring and duck out for a smoke.

The New York Times

Also, join a local gym so you can duck out for cold showers.

The Washington Post

I'll duck out and say something general, like the person who inspired you to run.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Will they turn up and vote for the assisted dying bill, or duck out and hide?

The Guardian - Opinion

Ben is planning to duck out early to attend a school bash with his pals.

The New York Times

So we re-evaluated and I thought I'll duck out and off you go".

The Guardian

Most spectators duck out, eyes red and streaming, after less than a minute.

The New York Times - Travel

In fact before Bic for Her, I was going to duck out for a bit.

The Guardian

The pair then agreed that Cowell could duck out if he paid £250,000.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "duck out" when you want to emphasize a quick and somewhat secretive departure, especially to avoid something unpleasant or unwanted.

Common error

Avoid using "duck out" in formal contexts where a more polite or official term like "excuse oneself" or "withdraw" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "duck out" is as an intransitive phrasal verb. It describes the action of leaving a place or situation quickly and discreetly, often to avoid something unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "duck out" is a common phrasal verb that means to leave quickly and discreetly, often to avoid an unpleasant situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in informal contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "duck out", remember to consider the level of formality required by the context and choose a more appropriate alternative, such as ""slip away"" or "withdraw", for formal settings. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use "duck out" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slip away

Implies a quiet and unnoticed departure, often to avoid attention.

sneak off

Suggests a secretive departure, often to do something forbidden or unexpected.

take off

Implies a quick departure, often without much notice.

make an exit

Describes the act of leaving a place or situation.

leave abruptly

Highlights the suddenness of the departure.

absent oneself

A more formal way to say someone is not present, can be temporarily or permanently.

bolt

Suggests a sudden and hurried departure, often due to fear or urgency.

withdraw

Implies a deliberate and sometimes formal departure.

escape

Implies leaving a dangerous or unpleasant situation.

bow out

Suggests a graceful or planned departure, often from a competition or commitment.

FAQs

How to use "duck out" in a sentence?

You can use "duck out" to describe leaving a place or situation quickly and usually discreetly, often to avoid something unpleasant. For example, "He decided to "slip away" before the argument escalated".

What can I say instead of "duck out"?

You can use alternatives like ""slip away"", "sneak off", or "take off" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "duck out"?

"Duck out" is appropriate in informal settings when describing a quick and discreet departure. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "duck out" and "leave abruptly"?

"Duck out" implies a more secretive or evasive departure, whereas "leave abruptly" simply emphasizes the suddenness of leaving without necessarily implying avoidance.