leaving for real

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving for real" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that someone is genuinely departing or not returning, often after a period of indecision or joking about leaving. Example: "After years of talking about it, I'm finally leaving for real this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Ronaldo joined United that summer and spent six successful years at Old Trafford before leaving for Real.

The Guardian - Sport

His pay is said to be £110,000, or about $170,000, a week, and his Serbian partner in central defense, Nemanja Vidic, has just been upgraded to £90,000 a week to stop him from leaving for Real Madrid.

The New York Times - Sports

He returned to Milan on a free earlier this month after leaving for Real Madrid for a world-record £56m in 2009.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Soon, Benítez would leave for Real Madrid.

The Guardian - Sport

He also brought back Nuri Sahin, a player who left for Real Madrid a year ago.

The New York Times - Sports

He had extracted more from a team of 30-somethings than was reasonable to expect, and left for Real Madrid.

The New York Times - Sports

The coach then left for Real Madrid, and something deep inside Sneijder seemed to depart with him.

The New York Times - Sports

Romero, 28, has 62 caps and may be a challenger for the No1 jersey should David de Gea leave for Real Madrid.

The Guardian - Sport

But if, as he suggests, corporations become our moral guardians, is there room left for real citizens?

The Guardian

He enters the tournament having scored 34 goals in all competitions this past season for Manchester United, shouldering greater responsibility after Cristiano Ronaldo left for Real Madrid.

The New York Times - Sports

He admits he is glad David De Gea did not leave for Real Madrid because who else would he beat at table tennis – Mata is an expert at the sport.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaving for real" to clearly signal a departure is not a joke or a temporary situation, particularly after previous false starts or uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "leaving for real" in contexts where a lighthearted or less definitive tone is desired, as it strongly emphasizes the finality of the departure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving for real" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the authenticity and finality of a departure. It's often used when there's been previous uncertainty or joking about leaving. As Ludwig AI shows, this construction adds a layer of seriousness to the act of departing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leaving for real" is a relatively rare but grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the genuine and final nature of a departure. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it often appears in News & Media contexts to convey that someone is not just threatening to leave but is definitively doing so. When using this phrase, be aware that it adds a layer of seriousness, making it unsuitable for lighthearted situations. Related phrases include "actually departing" and "truly leaving", which can be used as alternatives depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actually departing

Emphasizes the truthfulness of the departure, removing any doubt.

truly leaving

Highlights the genuine nature of the departure, implying a firm decision.

genuinely going

Focuses on the authenticity of the act of going.

finally departing

Indicates a departure that has been anticipated or delayed.

really going away

Emphasizes the distance and permanence of the departure.

seriously leaving

Highlights the gravity and intent behind the act of leaving.

definitely exiting

Focuses on the certainty of the departure from a place or situation.

irrevocably departing

Implies that the departure is final and cannot be reversed.

permanently relocating

Suggests a more significant change of location with long-term implications.

making a final exit

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the departure, often from a role or organization.

FAQs

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

You can use "leaving for real" to emphasize that a departure is genuine and not a temporary situation, as in "After threatening to quit for months, he's finally "actually departing", "truly leaving" for real this time."

What does "leaving for real" imply?

"Leaving for real" implies a definitive and permanent departure, often after a period of uncertainty or joking about leaving. It indicates the person is "actually departing", not just threatening to.

Is there a more formal way to say "leaving for real"?

While "leaving for real" is generally informal, you can use phrases like "genuinely departing" or "permanently relocating" in more formal contexts to convey a similar meaning with greater professional nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "leaving for real"?

It's appropriate to use "leaving for real" when you want to emphasize the finality and truthfulness of a departure, especially if there has been prior ambiguity or speculation about the person's intentions to "actually departing".