left for lunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left for lunch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has departed from their location to take a break for lunch. Example: "The manager has left for lunch and will return in an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

At one point, as two of Mr. Mueller's investigators left for lunch, they noticed the cluster of cameras and quickly turned to cross the street.

The New York Times

When her stepfather died, she said, "I thought the perfect person for it would be Bobby, because who else do we know that has somebody coming around every day to polish the silver?" But, fatigued from medication she is taking in advance of cataract surgery, she left for lunch before the lot was sold, for $1,080.

The New York Times

Ms. Kamarck, 57, the Harvard professor and a longtime adviser to Democratic candidates, said she was still incredulous about the time her colleagues on Walter F. Mondale's presidential campaign, all men, left for lunch without inviting her — because, she later discovered, they were headed to a strip club.

The New York Times

The following correction was printed in the Guardian's Corrections and clarifications column, Tuesday November 28 2006 The stars and the chorus have left for lunch, but Franco Zeffirelli - ever the stickler for detail - is still on stage at La Scala, peering down into the tomb in which Radames will be buried alive on December 7 with his beloved Aida.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

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

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

The Guardian

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left for lunch" to clearly indicate that someone has departed to have lunch, especially in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "left for lunch" when the person's absence is indefinite or for reasons other than a typical lunch break; use more general terms like "left the office" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left for lunch" functions as a verb phrase indicating a departure for the purpose of eating lunch. It typically describes someone's action of going to have lunch, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left for lunch" is a grammatically sound and neutrally formal way to indicate that someone has departed to eat lunch. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly common, it's found in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, making it suitable for various contexts. Remember to use it when describing a temporary absence specifically for lunch, and consider alternatives like "gone for lunch" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gone for lunch

Simple and direct statement of departure.

Off for lunch

Informal way of saying someone left to get lunch.

Headed out for lunch

Indicates direction or intention.

Went to get lunch

Focuses on the action of obtaining lunch.

Stepped out for lunch

Suggests a brief absence.

Departed to have lunch

More formal and emphasizes the act of departing.

Took a lunch break

Highlights the break aspect.

Is at lunch

States the current state of being at lunch.

Escaped for lunch

Suggests a need to get away or avoid something.

Out to lunch

Informal, implies absence and/or being distracted.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "left for lunch"?

You can use alternatives like "gone for lunch", "headed out for lunch", or "stepped out for lunch" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "left to lunch"?

No, the correct phrasing is "left for lunch". The preposition "for" indicates the purpose of the departure, which is to have lunch. "Left to lunch" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean when someone says they "left for lunch"?

It means that the person has departed from their current location to go and have their midday meal, typically during a designated break time.

How formal is the phrase "left for lunch"?

The phrase "left for lunch" is generally considered neutral in formality and is appropriate for use in both professional and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "departed to have lunch" are more formal.