leaving for lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

'leaving for lunch' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's movements during a particular day. For example: "John had a busy morning in the office, so when 12 o'clock came around, he was eager to get out and start his lunch break, leaving for lunch right on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The sky was blue and the clouds were fluffy, and we were just leaving for lunch.

The Guardian

You see it when a businessman holds open the door of a downtown office building for a stream of women leaving for lunch.

The New York Times - Magazine

DANIEL J. WAKIN: The cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel and hold up to four voting sessions a day there (beginning every day around 9 30 a.m. and leaving for lunch and dinner).

The New York Times

Before leaving for lunch at his club, the Reform, Woolley pointed me to a recent study by the research firm Ibbotson Associates, which shows that during the past decade investors in hedge funds, over all, would have done just as well putting their money straight into the S&P 500.

The New Yorker

David Clohessy, the director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, the leading organization for victims, was being interviewed by a television crew when a security agent ordered him to the edge of the lobby, increasing the distance between him and a stream of bishops leaving for lunch.

The New York Times

Employees working more than 6 consecutive hours should swipe upon arrival, when leaving for lunch, when returning from lunch and when leaving work for the day.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Exactly 15 minutes later, Mr. Greenberg — his hair noticeably coiffed, his bushy eyebrows aligned — left for lunch.

The New York Times

If you leave for lunch or other reasons, please wash again before returning to the room.

Princeton University

Clark leaves for lunch; the afternoon is another two and a half hours of work.

The Guardian - Sport

They would cut ribbons for the photographers and leave for lunch, but the real ceremony wouldn't end until Abbess Yin said so.

The New York Times - Magazine

After the jury had left for lunch, defense lawyers complained to the trial judge, Donald E. Walter, that the judges were being treated differently from other witnesses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaving for lunch" to clearly indicate a temporary departure for a midday meal, especially in contexts where the destination or purpose is relevant.

Common error

Be mindful of subtle differences with phrases like "going to lunch" or "having lunch", as "leaving for lunch" specifically denotes the act of departing from a location to begin the lunch break.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving for lunch" functions as a prepositional phrase that indicates movement or departure with a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The preposition "for" specifies the destination or purpose of the departure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leaving for lunch" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate a temporary departure to have lunch. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its frequency is uncommon, and it appears most often in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly conveys the act of departing for lunch rather than simply discussing the meal itself. Consider alternatives such as "going out for lunch" or "heading to lunch" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departing for lunch

Replaces "leaving" with "departing", offering a slightly more formal tone.

going out for lunch

Emphasizes the action of going out, suggesting dining outside the current location.

heading to lunch

Focuses on the direction or destination of the lunch outing.

off to lunch

A more casual and concise way of saying someone is leaving to have lunch.

excusing oneself for lunch

A formal way of indicating someone is leaving to have lunch, often used in professional settings.

taking a lunch break

Highlights the break aspect, focusing on the time off for lunch rather than the departure.

breaking for lunch

Similar to "taking a lunch break", emphasizing the interruption of work for the meal.

disappearing for lunch

Implies a quick or sudden departure for lunch.

absenting oneself for lunch

A highly formal and somewhat antiquated way of saying someone is leaving for lunch.

making way for lunch

Suggests clearing one's schedule or activities to prioritize having lunch.

FAQs

How can I use "leaving for lunch" in a sentence?

You can use "leaving for lunch" to describe someone's action of departing to eat lunch, such as, "After a long meeting, she announced she was "leaving for lunch"."

What are some alternatives to "leaving for lunch"?

Alternatives include "going out for lunch", "heading to lunch", or "taking a lunch break", each with slight variations in emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "leaving to lunch" instead of "leaving for lunch"?

While "leaving to lunch" might seem similar, it's not grammatically standard. The correct preposition to use is "for", making "leaving for lunch" the appropriate phrase.

What's the difference between "leaving for lunch" and "going to lunch"?

"Leaving for lunch" emphasizes the act of departing, while "going to lunch" focuses more on the destination or activity of eating lunch.