play truant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "play truant" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone (typically a student) who skips school without permission. Example sentence: I used to play truant when I was in high school.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Each school-day a quarter of Indian teachers play truant.

The Economist

He began to play truant and was committed to a psychiatric hospital.

Independent

A common problem at government schools is that it is the teachers who play truant.

Independent

Many Londoners took the opportunity to play truant from their responsibilities.

The Guardian - Books

1. Is it true your dad, Harry, helped you play truant?

The Guardian - Sport

They play truant, breaking into local houses and making off with personal possessions — valuables, invaluables, junk.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Not that he stopped playing truant.

The Guardian

By 14 he was playing truant and pilfering.

The Economist

Tragically, children played truant a million times last year".

The Guardian

Certainly it has played truant from the negotiating table quite skilfully.

The Economist

He started playing truant and fell in with a crowd involved in drugs and petty crime.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about truancy, consider the context. "Play truant" is suitable for general use, but "cut classes" might be more appropriate when referring to specific subjects being skipped.

Common error

Ensure clarity in your writing: "Play truant" implies an unauthorized absence. If the absence is excused, use terms like "miss school" or "be absent."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "play truant" functions as a verb phrase, describing the act of being absent from school without permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression used to depict students who skip school.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "play truant" is a verb phrase describing the act of skipping school or work without permission. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, and its communicative purpose is to convey an intentional, unauthorized absence. While generally neutral in register, it is important to be aware of the context in which it is used. Alternatives include "skip school", "cut classes", and "bunk off". Always ensure that the phrase is used accurately, implying an unauthorized absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skip school

Directly indicates the action of not attending school.

cut classes

Emphasizes avoiding specific classes rather than the entire school day.

bunk off

British English slang for skipping school or work.

play hooky

American English idiom for skipping school or work.

miss school

A more general term that doesn't necessarily imply unauthorized absence.

be absent without leave

Formal way of saying someone is missing without permission.

go AWOL

Figuratively used to describe someone who is absent without permission.

dodge responsibility

Broadens the meaning to avoiding any kind of duty or obligation.

shirk duties

Similar to dodging responsibility, but emphasizes neglecting assigned tasks.

take a day off

Suggests a planned or unplanned absence from responsibilities.

FAQs

What does it mean to "play truant"?

To "play truant" means to be absent from school without permission. It's commonly used to describe students skipping school.

What can I say instead of "play truant"?

You can use alternatives like "skip school", "cut classes", or "bunk off" depending on the context.

Is "play truant" formal or informal?

The phrase "play truant" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For more formal contexts, you might use "unauthorized absence" or "absent without leave".

What's the difference between "play truant" and "miss school"?

"Play truant" implies an unauthorized absence, while "miss school" is a more general term that can include both excused and unexcused absences.