precipitous exit

USAGE SUMMARY

"precipitous exit" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a sudden and steep departure from a situation or place. An example: "After the scandal broke, the CEO made a precipitous exit from the company." Alternative expressions include "abrupt departure" and "hasty exit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A precipitous exit without preparation would leave the country without notes and coin.

The Economist

Japan's precipitous exit from nuclear power generation – the day I arrived in Tokyo was the first non-nuclear day in Japan for 42 years – has pushed the country's fossil fuel demand through the roof, with imports of oil and gas up by more than 100% since last year, their ballooning cost driving a record trade deficit of $32bn.

The Guardian

This week Leena Rao, Colleen Taylor and I sat around the Round Table to discuss the precipitous exit of Google's Vic Gundotra and the violently abusive CEO of RadiumOne.

TechCrunch

It's a blessing because it prevents a more precipitous exit from America and buys us time to fix our problems.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Her exit would be a precipitous fall for a trusted lieutenant of Mr. Dimon.

The New York Times

Having driven Richard Olney and our friend Jill Norman down the precipitous road that drops from Richard's home into the village, his directions to the vineyard were vague: "This exit will do... nearly there..

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a precipitous fall.

The New York Times - Sports

Their fall has been precipitous.

The Economist

Perspicacious or precipitous?

The New York Times - Tech

Fertility decline is not some precipitous event.

The New York Times

Monsignor Wallin's fall seems precipitous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precipitous exit" when you want to emphasize not only the suddenness of a departure but also its potentially negative consequences or lack of preparation. For example, you might describe a company CEO's departure after a scandal as a "precipitous exit".

Common error

Avoid using "precipitous exit" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "sudden departure" or "quick exit" are often more appropriate for less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precipitous exit" functions as a noun phrase, where "precipitous" modifies "exit". It describes a specific type of departure, emphasizing its suddenness and potential lack of preparation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "precipitous exit" describes a sudden and often unprepared departure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, but its use is relatively infrequent, classifying it as rare. Its primary context lies within News & Media, where it's used to highlight the speed and unexpected nature of a departure, often implying negative consequences or a lack of planning. While acceptable, consider synonyms like "abrupt departure" or "sudden withdrawal" for different shades of meaning. When writing, reserve "precipitous exit" for situations where you want to emphasize both the speed and potential repercussions of the departure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precipitate departure

A more formal synonym, maintaining a similar sense of suddenness.

abrupt departure

Focuses on the suddenness of leaving, omitting the potentially negative connotation of "precipitous".

sudden withdrawal

Emphasizes the act of pulling back quickly from a situation.

hasty retreat

Implies a quick departure, possibly to avoid danger or an undesirable situation.

rapid evacuation

Suggests a swift removal of people from a place, often due to an emergency.

quick resignation

Specifically refers to leaving a job or position without much delay.

immediate exit

Highlights the lack of delay in leaving.

swift departure

Similar to abrupt departure, but with a slightly more formal tone.

expedited withdrawal

Indicates a hastened removal, often planned or arranged.

unexpected exit

Focuses on the surprise element of the departure.

FAQs

How can I use "precipitous exit" in a sentence?

You can use "precipitous exit" to describe a sudden and often ill-prepared departure, as in "The scandal led to a "precipitous exit" by the CEO".

What's a less formal way to say "precipitous exit"?

Alternatives include "sudden departure", "quick exit", or "abrupt departure", depending on the context.

What does "precipitous" mean in the context of "precipitous exit"?

In this context, "precipitous" means sudden and dramatic. It implies a rapid and potentially uncontrolled or unplanned departure.

Is there a difference between "precipitous exit" and "hasty retreat"?

While both suggest a quick departure, "hasty retreat" often implies fleeing from a dangerous or unfavorable situation, whereas "precipitous exit" focuses more on the unexpected and rapid nature of the departure itself.