leave their post

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave their post" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to when someone leaves their job or a position they have been assigned. For example: "The police officer decided to leave their post after five years of service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"A person has to understand they cannot leave their post for a fraction of a minute.

The New York Times

It was unclear from officials how many of the commander's men had defected with him or whether they had been forced to leave their post.

The New York Times

But, if you fancy football club owners to have a chilled out 2016, it's 100/1 that no Premier League manager will permanently leave their post.

Independent

"In being obliged to leave their post prematurely, the official concerned is a victim of the actions of the state they represent".

The Guardian

Even the switchboard operators have been known to leave their post, to the consternation of television producers, lecture agents, Nobel Prize winners, and other outsiders vainly seeking the ear of Bennett Cerf.

The New Yorker

But they could not leave their post to take him to a hospital, so one of the firefighters helped Mr. Newman get Mr. Summers to a ferry headed to New Jersey.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Gary Cahill has confirmed that Chelsea's England trio will leave their post-season tour of the United States after tomorrow's friendly with Manchester City to join up with the National team.

Independent

Mr. Kelly's announcement was essentially a reiteration of a recent decision by the current commissioner, Bernard B. Kerik, who announced last month that officers from the gun, warrant and gang intelligence units would leave their post-Sept.

The New York Times

Both sets of diplomats had been given a week to leave their posts.

The Guardian

High-level securities regulators often leave their posts for the more lucrative pastures of Wall Street.

The New York Times

Gen. Ghazi Jabali, the Gaza police chief, were told to leave their posts two nights ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "leave their post". It can imply dereliction of duty, so choose it carefully if you intend to convey a neutral departure.

Common error

Avoid using "leave their post" interchangeably with phrases like "resign" or "retire". "Leave their post" often implies a sudden or unapproved departure, whereas "resign" and "retire" denote planned and accepted exits. This seemingly small word choice has a huge impact on the meaning you are conveying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave their post" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of someone abandoning or vacating a designated position or duty. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in various contexts, particularly where an individual is expected to remain at a certain location or fulfill a specific obligation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave their post" is a common verb phrase used to describe the act of abandoning or vacating a designated position or duty. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using "leave their post", ensure clarity regarding what the 'post' refers to, and be mindful of the potential implications of dereliction of duty. Consider using alternatives like "abandon their post" or "vacate their position" depending on the specific context and desired connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon their post

Emphasizes a sudden or unauthorized departure, implying negligence or desertion.

desert their station

Similar to "abandon their post", but carries a stronger sense of moral failure or dereliction.

relinquish their duty

Replaces "post" with "duty", suggesting a more formal or obligatory role.

leave their assignment

Replaces "post" with "assignment", indicating a task or mission.

vacate their position

Suggests a more formal and planned departure from a role or job.

resign from their position

Indicates a voluntary departure, typically from a job or office.

step down from their post

Implies a voluntary relinquishment of power or authority.

be relieved of their duties

Suggests an external force causing the person to leave, rather than a personal decision.

be removed from their post

Implies a forced departure, often due to disciplinary action or incompetence.

end their tenure

Signifies the completion of a term or period in a specific role.

FAQs

What does it mean to "leave their post"?

To "leave their post" means to abandon or vacate a position, duty, or assigned location. It often implies a departure that is either unauthorized, unexpected, or carries negative implications regarding responsibility.

What can I say instead of "leave their post"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "abandon their post", "vacate their position", "resign from their position", or "relinquish their duty".

Is "leave their post" formal or informal?

The formality of "leave their post" depends on the context, but it generally leans towards neutral to slightly formal, particularly in news reporting or official statements. More informal terms might be used in casual conversation.

When is it inappropriate to use "leave their post"?

It may be inappropriate if you intend to convey a voluntary, planned departure, such as a retirement. In such cases, alternatives like "retire from their position" or "step down" are more suitable. Also be mindful of potentially negative implications related to unplanned departures from certain duties.