French leave

The Oxford English Dictionary records: "the custom (in the 18th century prevalent in France and sometimes imitated in England) of going away from a reception, etc. without taking leave of the host or hostess. Hence, jocularly, to take French leave is to go away, or do anything, without permission or notice."

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French leave (uncountable)

1. A sudden or unannounced departure, or one taken without permission. [from 1770s]
   • 1771, Tobias Smollett, The Expedition of Humphry Clinker:

     He stole away an Irishman's bride, and took a French leave of me and his master.

   • 2010, William Marvel, The Great Task Remaining: The Third Year of Lincoln's War, page 10:

     he may have felt a particular need to mitigate the responsibility of those who shirked their duty, for as he wrote that letter he had just returned from French leave himself.

• duck out

• AWOL
• disappearing act