leave it quickly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave it quickly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to depart from a place or situation in a hurried manner. Example: "If you see any danger, leave it quickly and find a safe spot."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even when qualified STEM graduates are attracted to the profession of teaching in public schools, they tend to leave it quickly, either for more positive rewards in other professions or to avoid the multitude of hindrances to their effectiveness as teachers (for a review, see Ingersoll and Strong, 2011).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was too stunned by the scene to leave it that quickly.

The New Yorker

I realise that there are economic pressures at home, and that the war in Afghanistan is largely unpopular, but the point of a war is to win it – not to leave it as quickly as possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Walcott's diction at times recalls the spareness of Eliot, and he lapses momentarily into rhyme, just as Eliot does: "or the eye leaves it too quickly, its disgrace,/requiring more and more strength, more and more prayer,/pray at the border of the sweetness of despair /its obscure grace".

The Economist

Sometimes it is just easier to do it quickly and leave it there.

WikiHow

If you want the hair to come in quickly, leave it alone while it grows.

WikiHow

Hobart is a compact place that fades from view rapidly as you leave it – traffic and houses are quickly replaced by rolling hills and winding roads.

The Guardian - Travel

But even the most rabid B&Bs get booked very quickly so leave it too late and you may be left with the end of a sofa or, even, a park bench.

The Guardian - Travel

If you leave it any longer, the memory quickly fades.

WikiHow

But legislative politics and the volatility of the capital punishment issue left it unclear how quickly the penalty might be restored.

The New York Times

The new intelligence estimates provided to Asian allies, however, left it unclear how quickly the North could produce the small warheads.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "leave it quickly", ensure the context makes the 'it' clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, "If the fire alarm rings, leave the building quickly."

Common error

Avoid using "leave it quickly" when the 'it' is unclear or ambiguous. Always ensure the object or situation being left is clearly defined to prevent confusion. For example, instead of "Leave it quickly", say "Leave the scene quickly" if referring to a crime scene.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave it quickly" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to perform an action. It uses the verb 'leave' followed by 'it' as the object, and 'quickly' as an adverb modifying the verb to specify the manner of leaving. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave it quickly" is a grammatically sound directive used to instruct someone to depart rapidly from a situation or place. According to Ludwig, it's considered correct and usable in English. While generally neutral to informal in register, context dictates its precise tone, making it suitable for various scenarios from everyday instructions to urgent warnings. When using this phrase, ensure that the referent ('it') is clear to avoid ambiguity, and consider the formality of the situation to determine if a more professional alternative like "depart rapidly" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depart rapidly

Emphasizes the speed of leaving; more formal.

exit swiftly

Stresses the quickness of the departure; slightly more formal.

make a quick exit

Focuses on the act of exiting rather than the speed.

scram quickly

Informal and abrupt way to say leave.

clear out fast

Emphasis on clearing the area quickly.

vamoose promptly

An informal and playful way to say leave quickly.

beat a hasty retreat

Idiomatic; implies leaving to avoid something unpleasant.

retreat hastily

Suggests leaving due to a perceived threat or urgency.

withdraw expeditiously

Very formal; emphasizes efficiency in leaving.

absent yourself rapidly

A more roundabout and formal way to say leave.

FAQs

How can I use "leave it quickly" in a sentence?

You can use "leave it quickly" to instruct someone to depart from a situation or place rapidly. For example, "If you notice any suspicious activity, "leave it quickly" and report it to the authorities."

What are some alternatives to "leave it quickly"?

Alternatives include "depart rapidly", "exit swiftly", or "retreat hastily", depending on the context and level of formality you desire.

Is it grammatically correct to say "leave it quickly"?

Yes, "leave it quickly" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard word order for an imperative sentence with an adverb modifying the verb.

When is it appropriate to use "leave it quickly"?

It is appropriate to use "leave it quickly" in situations where a rapid departure is necessary or advisable, such as in response to danger or when instructed to do so. For example, "If you spill chemicals, "leave it quickly" and alert the lab supervisor".