leave that behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave that behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone should move on from a past experience or situation. Example: "It's time to leave that behind and focus on the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"We knew we were going to leave that behind," Mr. Costello said.

The New York Times

He said, "I'm going to leave that behind and figure out something deeper".

The New York Times

Dungna and Mondokha, even if we have a sick animal that is not able to walk we leave that behind and request them to look after it for us.

Pastoralism

So was it a relief to leave that behind?

Huffington Post

You can go onstage and leave that behind and just play for the people and have fun, but the business is serious, so watch your back.

Huffington Post

In a nod to the original, Worthington's Perseus picks up a mechanical owl and asks, "What's this?" He is quickly told to "Leave that behind".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This year he's left that behind him.

The Guardian - Sport

I was thinking I had left that behind in East Germany".

The New York Times - Magazine

He left that behind to pursue a spiritual path.

Huffington Post

We can probably leave that one behind.

Vice

We left that behind," the colonel said, smirking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leave that behind" when you want to encourage someone to move forward from a negative experience or a situation that is holding them back. Ensure the context makes it clear what 'that' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "leave that behind" without clearly defining what 'that' represents in the sentence. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. For example, instead of saying "He needs to leave that behind", specify "He needs to leave his past mistakes behind".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave that behind" functions primarily as a directive or suggestion, urging someone to disregard or move on from a past issue. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and serves to encourage transition from a negative experience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave that behind" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that encourages moving on from a past experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in a variety of contexts. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for many situations, although more formal options may exist. Remember to ensure the referent of 'that' is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "move on from that" or "put that behind you" for subtle differences in meaning. Examples show widespread use in news and media, reflecting its general applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move on from that

This alternative is more direct and implies a conscious decision to progress beyond a specific issue.

put that behind you

This alternative emphasizes distancing oneself emotionally from a past event or problem.

forget about that

This alternative suggests disregarding or ceasing to think about something, often a negative experience.

let that go

This alternative implies releasing attachment to something, often to achieve peace of mind.

move past that

This alternative focuses on surpassing a difficulty or obstacle and continuing forward.

rise above that

This alternative suggests overcoming a negative situation through strength and resilience.

disregard that

This alternative is more formal and indicates ignoring or dismissing something as unimportant.

draw a line under that

This alternative (more common in British English) signifies concluding a matter definitively.

turn the page

This alternative uses a metaphor to suggest starting a new chapter or phase, leaving the past behind.

make a fresh start

This alternative is about beginning something new and forgetting what happened in the past.

FAQs

What does it mean to "leave that behind"?

To "leave that behind" means to move on from a past experience, situation, or problem, often with the intention of not letting it affect your future.

How can I use "leave that behind" in a sentence?

You can use it to suggest someone should disregard something negative, as in, "It's time to "move on from that" and focus on the present". It can also mean physically leaving an object or situation.

What are some alternatives to "leave that behind"?

Some alternatives include "put that behind you", "forget about that", "let that go", or "move past that", each with slight differences in emphasis.

Is "leave that behind" formal or informal?

"Leave that behind" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and professional contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in some business or academic settings.