leave

I. leave¹ S1 W1 /liːv/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle left /left/)
[Language: Old English; Origin: læfan]
1. GO AWAY [intransitive and transitive] to go away from a place or a person:
My baby gets upset when I leave the room.
Before leaving the train, make sure you have all your belongings with you.
Leave the motorway at Junction 7.
leave at
The plane leaves at 12.30.
leave for
I tried calling him, but he’d already left for work.
leave (something/somebody) soon/now/later etc
If he left immediately, he’d catch the 7.30 train.
leave (something/somebody) to do something
Frances left work early to meet her mother.
leave somebody doing something
Never leave children playing near water unattended.
leave somebody to something
I’ll leave you to it (=go away and let you continue with what you are doing).
My youngest boy has not left my side (=has stayed near me) since his daddy was killed.
leave somebody in peace (=go away from someone so that they can think, work etc alone)
Just a few more questions, then we’ll leave you in peace.
2. STOP [intransitive and transitive] if you leave your job, home, school etc, you permanently stop doing that job, living at home etc:
Over the past two years, 20 staffers have left.
leave home/school/college etc
How old were you when you left home (=your parents’ home)?
My daughter got a job after she left school.
The lawsuit will be postponed until the president leaves office.
leave a job/country/Spain etc
Many missionaries were forced to leave the country.
It seems that Tony has left the band for good (=permanently).
leave (somebody/something) to do something
Laura left her native England to live in France.
3. leave somebody/something alone
a) to stop annoying or upsetting someone:
Oh, just leave me alone, will you?
Leave the boy alone, he can make up his own mind.
b) to go away from someone so that they are on their own:
Six-year-old Gemma had been left alone in the house.
c) to stop touching something:
Leave that alone. You’ll break it.
d) (also leave well (enough) alone) to stop being involved in or trying to change a situation:
Why can’t they just leave well alone and let us concentrate on teaching?
4. LET SOMETHING/SOMEBODY STAY [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make or allow something or someone to stay in a place when you go away
leave something/somebody in/with/behind etc
Are you leaving the kids with Grandma on Saturday?
As soon as I’d shut the door, I realized I’d left the keys inside.
Did anybody leave a jacket behind last night?
She left her son in the care of a friend.
leave somebody to do something
He left Ruth to find her own way home.
Students were left to their own devices (=left alone and allowed to do whatever they wanted) for long periods.
leave somebody for dead
The girl had been attacked and left for dead.
5. NOT CHANGE/MOVE SOMETHING [transitive] to let something remain in a particular state, position, or condition
leave something on/off/out etc
You’ve left your lights on.
She must have left the phone off the hook.
leave something open/empty/untidy etc
I wish you’d stop leaving the door open.
The trial left many questions unanswered.
leave a space/gap etc
Leave the next two lines blank for the tutor’s comments.
Drivers should always leave room for cyclists.
leave something doing something
I’ll just leave the engine running while I go in.
Don’t leave tools lying about.
leave something to do something
Leave the pots to soak overnight.
6. RESULT OF ACCIDENT/ILLNESS/EVENT [transitive] if an event, accident, illness etc leaves you in a particular condition, you are in that condition because of it:
An explosion at a chemical plant has left one worker dead and four injured.
leave somebody with something
Although the infection cleared up, he was left with a persistent cough.
leave somebody doing something
The incident left her feeling confused and hurt.
The announcement has left shareholders nursing huge losses.
7. be left (also have something left) if something is left, it remains after everything else has gone, been taken away, or used:
I’ve only got a few dollars left.
There were a couple of seats left at the back.
We don’t have much time left.
He pointed to what was left of the house (=used when very little is left).
All that was left was a pile of bones.
be left over
After we’ve paid the bills, there’s never much left over.
They ate some bread rolls left over from the night before.
8. LETTER/MESSAGE/THING [transitive] to deliver a message, note, package etc for someone or put it somewhere so that they will get it later:
She left a message on his answerphone.
leave somebody something
Can you leave me some money for the bus?
leave something with somebody
Ian left this note with me.
leave something for somebody
A guy left these flowers for you.
9. DELAY [transitive] to not do something or to do it later than you intended:
Leave the dishes. I’ll do them later.
So much had been left undone.
leave something until the last minute/until last
If you leave your preparation until the last minute, you’ll reduce your chances of passing.
I left the best bit until last.
I want to think about it. Can I leave it for now?
I’m afraid you’ve left it too late to change your ticket.
leave it at that (=used to say that you will not do any more of something, because you have done enough)
Let’s leave it at that for today.
10. LET SOMEBODY DECIDE/BE RESPONSIBLE [transitive] to let someone else decide something or be responsible for something
leave something to somebody
Leave it to me. I’ll make sure it gets posted.
The choice of specialist subject is left entirely to the students.
leave it (up) to somebody to do something
I’ll leave it up to you to decide.
She leaves it to the reader to draw their own conclusions.
leave doing something to somebody
Is it okay if I leave writing the results to you?
leave something with somebody
Leave it with me, I’ll fix it for you.
He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens).
leave somebody with no choice/option (=force someone to take a particular action)
You leave me with no choice but to fire you.
leave somebody to do something British English:
Clive moved to London, leaving Edward to run the Manchester office.
11. HUSBAND/WIFE ETC [intransitive and transitive] to stop living with or having a relationship with your husband, partner etc:
Martha was always threatening to leave, but I never believed her.
leave somebody for somebody
Mr Rushworth left his partner of 10 years for a younger woman.
12. WHEN YOU DIE [transitive]
a) to arrange for someone to receive your money, property etc after you die SYN bequeath:
Aunt Alice died, leaving almost $5 million.
leave somebody something
Hugo left me his mother’s ring.
In his will, he had left all his children a small sum of money.
leave something to somebody/something
Have you thought of leaving a gift to charity after you die?
b) leave a wife/children etc used when someone dies before their wife, children etc:
PC Davis leaves a wife and three small children.
13. MARK [transitive] to make a mark that remains afterwards
leave a mark/stain/scar etc
The wine had left a permanent mark on the tablecloth.
He staggered to the door, leaving a trail of blood.
Make sure that you don’t leave any footprints.
14. NOT EAT/DRINK [transitive] if you leave food or drink that you have been given, you do not eat or drink it:
‘I’m really hungry now.’ ‘That’s because you left half your lunch.’
He rose from the table, leaving his brandy untouched.
15. leave somebody/something standing (also leave somebody/something in the dust American English) informal to be much better, quicker, more successful etc than someone or something else:
In terms of fitness, he discovered that Kate left him standing.
16. leave a lot/something/much to be desired to be very unsatisfactory:
Inspectors say health and safety procedures at the factory leave a lot to be desired.
17. MATHEMATICS [transitive] in a sum, to have a particular amount remaining:
Three from seven leaves four.
18. leave something aside/to one side to not think about or consider one part of something for a time, so that you can consider another part of it:
Leaving aside for a moment the question of expense, what would your view be of the suggested changes?
19. leave somebody/something be old-fashioned to not upset, speak to, or annoy someone or to not touch something
20. leave go/hold of something British English spoken informal to stop holding something
21. leave it to somebody (to do something) American English spoken informal used to say that no one should be surprised that someone does something, because it is typical or expected of them:
Leave it to you to have the whole day planned out!
22. Elvis/somebody/something has left the building especially American English informal used humorously to emphasize that something is definitely over or that someone has gone and will not return
⇨ somebody can take it or leave it at ↑take¹(21), ⇨ be left holding the baby/bag at ↑hold¹(26)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to leave a place
▪ leave: Just as I was leaving the house, the phone rang. | We left early to avoid the traffic.
▪ go especially spoken to leave somewhere: Come on, boys, it’s time to go. | When does the next bus go?
▪ set off especially British English to leave somewhere and begin a journey: The following day we set off for Vienna.
▪ take off if a plane takes off, it leaves the ground at the beginning of a flight: Our plane took off late because of the fog.
▪ emigrate to leave your own country in order to live permanently in another country: In 2002, his family emigrated to New Zealand.
▪ depart formal to leave – used especially about trains, buses, planes etc: Coaches depart for the airport every 30 minutes.
■ to leave school/college etc
▪ leave especially British English to finish studying at school or college, usually at the age or time when people normally finish: When James left school, he worked for a while with his father. | She found it hard to get a job after leaving university.
▪ graduate to successfully finish your studies at a college or university, or at an American high school: Kelly graduated from Harvard with a degree in East Asian Studies. | Approximately 80% of Americans graduate from high school.
▪ drop out to leave school, college, or university before your course of study has finished, because you do not want to continue with it: I failed my first year exams and decided to drop out and get a job.
▪ quit American English to leave school without finishing your course of study: He quit school at fourteen to work and help support his family.
■ leave your job
▪ leave: I left my last job because the salary was so low. | Why don’t you just leave?
▪ quit to leave your job permanently because you are not happy with it: After enduring months of harassment, Mrs Collins decided to quit her job. | I’ve told them I’m quitting.
▪ resign to officially announce that you have decided to leave your job: The company director was forced to resign over the scandal.
▪ hand in your notice/resignation to write an official letter to your employer saying that you are going to leave your job on a particular date: You have to hand in your notice at least four weeks before you leave.
▪ retire to leave your job in order to stop working permanently, usually because you have reached the age when most people stop working: After forty years of working for the bank, Karl retired in May. | He had to retire because of ill health.
leave somebody/something ↔ behind phrasal verb
1. to not take someone or something with you when you leave a place:
I think I might have left my wallet behind.
He departed for Washington, leaving the children behind with their mother.
2. if a person, country, or organization is left behind, they do not develop as quickly or make as much progress as other people, countries etc:
In class, a child with poor eyesight can soon get left behind.
a fear of being left behind by better-organized rivals
3. (also leave somebody/something behind you) to permanently stop being involved with a person, place or situation:
It’s time to leave the past behind.
Although Armstrong overcame the circumstances of his birth, he never really left New Orleans behind.
4. (also leave somebody/something behind you) to move away from someone or something:
They had left the city behind and were heading into open country.
Sarah, with her long legs, soon left the rest of us far behind.
5. (also leave something behind you) to produce a thing or situation that remains after you have gone:
He drove off, leaving behind him a trail of blue smoke.
the mess the previous government left behind
leave off phrasal verb
1. to stop doing something
take up/pick up/continue (something) etc where somebody left off (=continue something that has stopped for a short time)
Barry took up the story where Justine had left off.
leave off doing something British English informal:
‘Will you leave off nagging?’ he snarled.
2. leave somebody/something off (something) to not include something such as someone’s name in a list or other document:
Why was her name left off the list?
leave somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to not include someone or something:
She outlined the case to him, being careful not to leave anything out.
leave somebody/something out of something
Kidd has been left out of the team.
2. be/feel left out to feel that you are not accepted or welcome in a situation:
New fathers often feel left out when baby arrives.
3. leave it out! British English spoken used to tell someone to stop lying, pretending, or being annoying

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

leave

leave [leave leaves left leaving] verb, noun [liːv] [liːv]

verb (left, left [left] ; [left] )

PLACE/PERSON
1. intransitive, transitive to go away from a person or a place
• Come on, it's time we left.
• ~ for… The plane leaves for Dallas at 12.35.
• ~ sth I hate leaving home.

• The plane leaves Heathrow at 12.35.

HOME/JOB/SCHOOL

2. intransitive, transitive to stop living at a place, belonging to a group, working for an employer, etc
• My secretary has threatened to leave.

• ~ sth (BrE) Some children leave school at 16.

WIFE/HUSBAND

3. transitive ~ sb (for sb) to leave your wife, husband or partner permanently

• She's leaving him for another man.

STH TO DO LATER

4. transitive to not do sth or deal with sth immediately
• ~ sth Leave the dishes— I'll do them later.

• ~ sth until… Why do you always leave everything until the last moment?

SB/STH IN CONDITION/PLACE

5. transitive to make or allow sb/sth to remain in a particular condition, place, etc
• ~ sb/sth (+ adj.) Leave the door open, please.
• The bomb blast left 25 people dead.
• ~ sb/sth doing sth Don't leave her waiting outside in the rain.

• ~ sb/sth to do sth Leave the rice to cook for 20 minutes.

6. transitive to make sth happen or remain as a result
• ~ sth Red wine leaves a stain.
• ~ sb with sth She left me with the impression that she was unhappy with her job.

• ~ sb sth I'm afraid you leave me no choice.

7. be left transitive to remain to be used, sold, etc
• Is there any coffee left?
• How many tickets do you have left?
• ~ of sth (figurative) They are fighting to save what is left of their business.

• ~ to sb The only course of action left to me was to notify her employer.

8. transitive to go away from a place without taking sth/sb with you
• ~ sth/sb (+ adv./prep.) I've left my bag on the bus.
• ~ sth/sb behind Don't leave any of your belongings behind.

• He wasn't well, so we had to leave him behind.

MATHEMATICS

9. transitive ~ sth to have a particular amount remaining

• Seven from ten leaves three.

AFTER DEATH

10. transitive ~ sb to have family remaining after your death

• He leaves a wife and two children.

11. transitive to give sth to sb when you die
Syn: bequeath
• ~ sth (to sb) She left £1 million to her daughter.

• ~ sb sth She left her daughter £1 million.

RESPONSIBILITY TO SB

12. transitive to allow sb to take care of sth
• ~ sb/sth + adv./prep. You can leave the cooking to me.
• She left her assistant in charge.
• Leave it with me — I'm sure I can sort it out.
• ‘Where shall we eat?’ ‘I'll leave it entirely (up) to you (= you can decide).’
• They left me with all the clearing up.

• ~ sb/sth to do sth I was left to cope on my own.

DELIVER

13. transitive to deliver sth and then go away
• ~ sth (for sb) Someone left this note for you.

• ~ sb sth Someone left you this note.

Rem: Most idioms containing leave are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example leave sb in the lurch is at lurch.
more at sb can take it or leave it at take

Word Origin:
v. Old English lǣfan ‘bequeath’ ‘allow to remain, leave in place’ Germanic German bleiben ‘remain’
n. Old English lēaf ‘permission’ West Germanic lief love

Thesaurus:
leave verb
1. I, T
• Come on— it's time we left.
go • • go away • • get away • • go off • • set off • • take off • • start • |especially BrE be/go on your way • |especially BrE, spoken be off • |especially AmE, spoken get out of here • |formal depart • • exit •
Opp: arrive, Opp: enter
leave/go/go away/get away/set off/take off/start/depart/exit from sb/sth
leave/go/go away/get away/go off/set off/take off/start/be on your way/depart at 9 a.m./midnight, etc.
be ready/about/going to leave/go/go away/set off/take off/start/depart
Leave or go away? Leave is used in ways that emphasize the act or time of leaving sb/sth; go away emphasizes the need or desire of the speaker to be somewhere else or for another person to be somewhere else.
2. T, I
• Villagers left to seek work in the towns.
move • • move out • • quit • • relocate • • emigrate • • migrate •
Opp: stay on
move/move out/relocate/emigrate/migrate from … to …
leave/quit your home/school/college/job
threaten to leave/move out/quit
decide/plan/want to leave/move/move out/quit/relocate/emigrate
3. I, T
• Workers are threatening to leave.
resign • • give in/hand in your notice • • retire • • step down • • stand down • |informal quit • |AmE business depart •
Opp: stay on
leave/resign from/reitre from/step down from/stand down from/quit/depart a post/position
decide to leave/resign/hand in your notice/retire/step down/stand down/quit
be ready/going to leave/resign/retire/step down/stand down/quit
4. T
• She's leaving him for another man.
abandon • • desert • • strand • • turn your back on sb/sth • • neglect • |informal dump • • walk out (on sb) •
leave/desert/dump sb for sb else
leave/abandon/desert/neglect/dump/walk out on a husband/wife
leave/abandon/desert/dump a lover
abandon/desert/neglect a child
5. T
• I left my bag on the bus.
lose • • forget • |especially BrE, formal mislay •
leave/lose/forget/mislay your keys/wallet/bag
6. T
• She left £1 million to her daughter in her will.
pass sth on • |formal bequeath •
leave/pass on/bequeath sth to sb
leave/pass on/bequeath a/an legacy/property/estate
leave/bequeath (sb) your money/art collection
7. T
• Leave the cooking to me.
hand sth over • • refer sb/sth to sb/sth • • delegate • |especially AmE turn sth over to sb • |formal entrust •
leave/hand over/turn over/refer/delegate/entrust sth to sb
leave/entrust sb with sth
leave/hand over/turn over/delegate the task/job/responsibility/management of sth to sb
Example Bank:
• Did you want something? I was just about to leave.
• I wanted to leave but they wouldn't let me.
• They left for Scotland this morning.
• They were being extremely rowdy and the manager had to ask them leave.
• They were caught trying to leave the country.
• We were all packed and ready to leave.
• Are you ready to leave yet?
• Come on— it's time we left.
• Don't leave any of your belongings behind.
• He had left the organization some years before.
• He wasn't well, so we had to leave him behind.
• Hundreds of villagers have already left to seek work in the towns.
• I leave it to you to decide what order to do things in.
• I left my bag on the bus.
• I worked in Hong Kong after I left university.
• I've left my phone somewhere but I can't remember where.
• If we leave now, we should make it in time.
• John says he left the restaurant at around midnight.
• Leave it with me — I'm sure I can sort it out.
• My assistant is threatening to leave.
• She claims she was forced to leave her job after she became pregnant.
• She left school at 14 with no qualifications.
• She refused to leave until she had talked to an officer.
• She's leaving him for another man.
• The family had left in a hurry, leaving all their belongings behind.
• They got into an argument and were asked to leave.
• Too many teachers are leaving the profession for higher-paid jobs.
Idioms: by your leave ▪ leave go ▪ leave it at that ▪ leave it out ▪ take leave ▪ take leave of your senses ▪ without a by your leave; without so much as a by your leave

Derived: leave off ▪ leave somebody behind ▪ leave somebody off ▪ leave somebody out ▪ leave something aside ▪ left over

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

leave / liːv / verb [ I or T ] ( left , left ) (GO AWAY)

A1 to go away from someone or something, for a short time or permanently:

I'll be leaving at five o'clock tomorrow.

He left the house by the back door.

She left the group of people she was with and came over to speak to us.

The bus leaves in five minutes.

leave / liːv / verb [ T ] ( left , left ) (NOT TAKE)

A2 to not take something or someone with you when you go, either intentionally or by accident:

Hey, you've left your keys on the table.

Can I leave a message for Sue?

Why don't you leave the kids with me on Friday?

leave / liːv / verb ( left , left ) (REMAIN)

A2 If something leaves something else, a part or effect of it stays after it has gone or been used:

His shoes left muddy marks on the floor.

[ + two objects ] If I give you £10 that won't leave me enough cash to pay the bill.

[ + obj + adj ] Far from improving things the new law has left many people worse off (= they are now in a worse situation) than before.

B2 [ T ] If you leave something in a particular condition you do not touch it, move it, or act to change it in any way, so that it stays in the same condition:

Leave that chair where it is.

He left most of his dinner (= did not eat much of it) .

[ + obj + adj ] The family were left (= became and continued to be) homeless.

I'll have to go back - I think I've left the iron on.

You can leave the window open.

Leave your sister alone (= stop annoying her) .

C1 [ T + obj + -ing verb ] If you leave something or someone doing something, when you go away they are still doing it:

I left the children watch ing television.

He left the engine runn ing .

leave / liːv / verb [ T ] ( left , left ) (NOT USE ALL)

A2 to not eat or use all of something:

They'd eaten all the cake, but they'd left some sandwiches.

Are there any cookies left?

There's some food left over from the party.

Make sure you leave enough hot water for the rest of us.

leave / liːv / verb [ T ] ( left , left ) (STOP)

A1 to stop doing something, or to leave a place because you have finished an activity:

Many children leave school at 16.

He left work in June for health reasons.

She left home (= stopped living with her parents) at 18.

Could we leave that subject (= stop discussing that subject) for the moment and go on to the next item on the agenda?

leave / liːv / verb [ T ] ( left , left ) (END RELATIONSHIP)

B1 to end a relationship with a husband, wife, or partner and stop living with them :

I'll never leave you.

She left her husband for a younger man.

leave / liːv / verb [ T ] ( left , left ) (WAIT)

C2 If you leave (doing) something, you wait before you do it:

I'll leave these letters till Monday (= write them on Monday) .

Don't leave it too late (= don't wait too long to do it) .

[ + -ing verb ] They left book ing their holiday till/to the last minute.

leave / liːv / verb ( left , left ) (AFTER DEATH)

[ T ] To leave a wife, husband, or other close family member is to die while these family members are still alive:

He left a wife and two children.

C2 [ + two objects ] If you leave money or things that you own to someone, you say they should receive it or them when you die:

He left his nieces all his money./He left all his money to his nieces.

leave / liːv / verb [ T ] ( left , left ) (GIVE RESPONSIBILITY)

to allow someone to make a choice or decision about something, or to make someone responsible for something:

I left the decision (up) to her.

[ + to infinitive ] I left it to her to make the decision.

Leave it (= the problem) with me, I'll see what I can do.

I'll leave it to chance (= wait and see what happens without planning) .

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

leave

[li͟ːv]
♦
leaves, leaving, left
1) VERB If you leave a place or person, you go away from that place or person.
  [V n] He would not be allowed to leave the country...
  [V n] I simply couldn't bear to leave my little girl...
  My flight leaves in less than an hour...
  [V for n] The last of the older children had left for school.
2) VERB If you leave an institution, group, or job, you permanently stop attending that institution, being a member of that group, or doing that job.
  [V n] He left school with no qualifications...
  I am leaving to concentrate on writing fiction.
  [V-ing] ...a leaving present.
3) VERB If you leave your husband, wife, or some other person with whom you have had a close relationship, you stop living with them or you finish the relationship.
  [V n] He'll never leave you. You need have no worry...
  [V n for n] I would be insanely jealous if Bill left me for another woman. [Also V]
4) VERB If you leave something or someone in a particular place, you let them remain there when you go away. If you leave something or someone with a person, you let them remain with that person so they are safe while you are away.
  [V n prep/adv] I left my bags in the car...
  [V n prep/adv] Don't leave your truck there...
  [V n prep/adv] From the moment that Philippe had left her in the bedroom at the hotel, she had heard nothing of him...
  [V n with n] Leave your key with a neighbour in case you lock yourself out one day.
5) VERB If you leave a message or an answer, you write it, record it, or give it to someone so that it can be found or passed on.
  [V n prep/adv] You can leave a message on our answering machine...
  [V n] Decide whether the ball is in square A, B, C, or D, then call and leave your answer...
  [V n with n] I left my phone number with several people.
6) VERB If you leave someone doing something, they are doing that thing when you go away from them.
  [V n -ing] Salter drove off, leaving Callendar surveying the scene.
7) VERB If you leave someone to do something, you go away from them so that they do it on their own. If you leave someone to himself or herself, you go away from them and allow them to be alone.
  [V n to-inf] I'd better leave you to get on with it, then...
  [V n to it] Diana took the hint and left them to it...
  [be V-ed to pron-refl] One of the advantages of a department store is that you are left to yourself to try things on...
  [V n to n] He quietly slipped away and left me to my tears. [Also V n to pron-refl]
8) VERB To leave an amount of something means to keep it available after the rest has been used or taken away.
  [V n for n] He always left a little food for the next day...
  [V n n] Double rooms at any of the following hotels should leave you some change from ₤150.
9) VERB If you take one number away from another, you can say that it leaves the number that remains. For example, five take away two leaves three.
  Syn:
  equal
10) VERB To leave someone with something, especially when that thing is unpleasant or difficult to deal with, means to make them have it or make them responsible for it.
  [V n with n] ...a crash which left him with a broken collar-bone...
  [V n with n] He left me with a child to support.
11) VERB If an event leaves people or things in a particular state, they are in that state when the event has finished.
  [V n adj] ...violent disturbances which have left at least ten people dead...
  [V n prep/adv] The documentary left me in a state of shock...
  [V n prep/adv] So where does that leave me?
12) VERB If you leave food or drink, you do not eat or drink it, often because you do not like it.
  [V n] If you don't like the cocktail you ordered, just leave it and try a different one.
13) VERB If something leaves a mark, effect, or sign, it causes that mark, effect, or sign to remain as a result.
  [V n] A muscle tear will leave a scar after healing...
  [V n] She left a lasting impression on him.
14) VERB If you leave something in a particular state, position, or condition, you let it remain in that state, position, or condition.
  [V n adj] He left the album open on the table...
  [V n adv/prep] I've left the car lights on...
  [V n -ing] I left the engine running.
15) VERB If you leave a space or gap in something, you deliberately make that space or gap.
  [V n] Leave a gap at the top and bottom so air can circulate.
16) VERB If you leave a job, decision, or choice to someone, you give them the responsibility for dealing with it or making it.
  [V n to n] Affix the blue airmail label and leave the rest to us...
  [V it to n to-inf] The judge should not have left it to the jury to decide...
  [V n to-inf] For the moment, I leave you to take all decisions.
17) VERB (disapproval) If you say that something such as an arrangement or an agreement leaves a lot to another thing or person, you are critical of it because it is not adequate and its success depends on the other thing or person.
  [V amount to n] The ceasefire leaves a lot to the goodwill of the forces involved...
  [V amount to n] It's a vague formulation that leaves much to the discretion of local authorities.
18) VERB To leave someone a particular course of action or the opportunity to do something means to let it be available to them, while restricting them in other ways.
  [V n n] He was left with no option but to resign.
19) VERB If you leave something until a particular time, you delay doing it or dealing with it until then.
  [V n until/to n] Don't leave it all until the last minute.
  ●
  PHRASE: V inflects If you leave something too late, you delay doing it so that when you eventually do it, it is useless or ineffective.
  I hope I haven't left it too late.
20) VERB If you leave a particular subject, you stop talking about it and start discussing something else.
  [V n] I think we'd better leave the subject of Nationalism...
  [V n prep/adv] He suggested we get together for a drink sometime. I said I'd like that, and we left it there.
21) VERB If you leave property or money to someone, you arrange for it to be given to them after you have died.
  [V n to n] He died two and a half years later, leaving everything to his wife.
22) VERB: no cont If you say that someone leaves a wife, husband, or a particular number of children, you mean that the wife, husband, or children remain alive after that person has died. [FORMAL]
  [V n] It is for his humanity as much as his music that his numerous friends and pupils will remember him. He leaves a wife, son and daughter.
23) N-UNCOUNT: oft on N Leave is a period of time when you are not working at your job, because you are on holiday or vacation, or for some other reason. If you are on leave, you are not working at your job.
  Why don't you take a few days' leave?
  ...maternity leave...
  He is home on leave from the Navy.
24) N-UNCOUNT: N to-inf If you ask for leave to do something, you ask for permission to do it. [FORMAL]
  ...an application for leave to appeal against the judge's order.
  Syn:
  permission
25) → See also left
26) PHRASE: V inflects If you leave someone or something alone, or if you leave them be, you do not pay them any attention or bother them.
  Some people need to confront a traumatic past; others find it better to leave it alone...
  Why can't you leave him be?
27) PHR-PREP: PREP n You use leaving aside or leaving to one side when mentioning a fact or detail that you want to ignore when making a general statement.
  Leaving aside the question of privacy, constant surveillance can be remarkably convenient.
28) PHRASE: V inflects When you take your leave or take leave of someone, you say goodbye and go. [FORMAL]
  He thanked them for the pleasure of their company and took his leave.
29) PHRASE: V inflects If someone tells you to leave well alone, they are telling you not to interfere in something, because it is all right as it is and you might only make it worse.
  He knew when to leave well alone and when to interfere.
30) PHRASE: PHR after v, oft from PHR If something continues from where it left off, it starts happening again at the point where it had previously stopped.
  As soon as the police disappear the violence will take up from where it left off.
31) to leave a lot to be desired → see desire
to leave someone to their own devices → see device
to take leave of your senses → see sense
take it or leave it → see take
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - leave behind
  - leave off
  - leave out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹leave /ˈliːv/ verb leaves; left /ˈlɛft/; leav·ing
1 a : to go away from (a place)

[+ obj]

• What time will you leave the office?
• Don't leave home without your wallet.
• I left the party at seven o'clock.

[no obj]

• We will leave at 10 o'clock.
• Are we leaving soon?
• She left quickly.
• They left by bus.
• The train left an hour ago but another will be arriving soon.
- often + for
• We're leaving for the game in an hour.
• The train left from Paris for Barcelona an hour ago.
b [+ obj] : to go away from (a place) to live in a different place
• They left the country for a new life in the city.
• He left town a month ago.
• He left home [=left his parent's house and lived somewhere else] after graduating from high school.
2 a [+ obj] : to go away from (a person)
• She left her friends and went home.
• We left him so that he could do his work. = We left him to his work. = He had work to do, so we left him to it.
• We left him doing his work. [=he was doing his work when we left him]
b : to stop living with and having a close personal relationship with (someone)

[+ obj]

• His mother left [=abandoned, deserted] him when he was very young.
• He left his wife and children.
• His wife left him for another man.

[no obj]

• He hasn't been the same since his wife left.
3 a [+ obj] : to give up or stop having (a job, position, etc.)
• He left [=quit] his job and went back to school.
• a politician who will be leaving office next year
b : to stop attending, belonging to, or working for (a school, a group, an organization, etc.)

[+ obj]

• She left school and got a job.
• She left our team and joined another one.
• He has one more year before he leaves the army.
• He's going to be leaving the company soon and starting his own business.

[no obj]

• You must give the company two weeks' notice before leaving.
c [+ obj] : to stop participating in (something, such as a game)
• The starting quarterback had to leave the game because of an injury.
• When did she leave the meeting?
4 [+ obj]
a : to go away and allow or cause (something or someone) to remain
• Please leave your books at home.
• You may leave your things in this room. : to put or bring (something or someone) somewhere and go away
• I left the groceries on the table.
• Please leave the package by the door.
• We left a turkey (roasting) in the oven.
• I left my brother at the airport.
• They left their dog in the car.
b
✦If you leave someone or something with someone, you allow someone to keep and care for someone or something while you are away.
• They went out to dinner and left their children (home) with a babysitter.
• We left our dog with the neighbors while we went on vacation.
c : to go away and forget or neglect to take (something)
• He left [=forgot] his wallet at the restaurant.
• I left my homework in my car.
• Did you leave your key in the door again?
d : to go away permanently without taking (something or someone)
• He left nothing in his old apartment.
- often + behind
• They left behind everything they owned.
• We had to leave our family and friends behind.
• He left it all behind. [=took nothing with him]
• I wanted to leave the past behind. [=forget about the past]
5 [+ obj] : to put (something) in a place for another person to take or have
• Did she leave a package for me?
• We left a good tip for our waitress. = We left our waitress a good tip.
• I left a message (for you) on your answering machine.
• He left his name and phone number.
6 [+ obj]
a : to allow someone else to deal with or do (something) - often + with
• “It's a pretty complicated problem.” “Leave it with me: I'll see what I can do.”
- often + for
• You don't have to wash the dishes. Just leave them for me. [=I will wash the dishes]
- often + to
• Leave your computer problems to the experts. [=let the experts solve your computer problems]
• That kind of decision should be left to the parents.
• They left the decision (up) to me.
• She left it to the readers to decide the story's ending.
• I'll leave it (up) to you (to decide) whether or not we go to the movies.
• I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.
- sometimes used figuratively
• Whether or not we have a picnic will be left (up) to the weather. [=will be determined by the weather]
b
✦In informal U.S. English, you can say leave it to someone (to do something), when someone has acted in a way that is typical or expected.
• Leave it to my mom to make everyone feel comfortable. [=my mom always makes everyone feel comfortable]
c
✦If people leave you to do something, they do not help you do it.
• He left me to find my own way home.
• She was left to finish the job by herself.
• I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.
• I was left to fend for myself.
7 [+ obj] : to cause (something or someone) to be or remain in a specified condition or position
• Years of pollution has left [=made] the water undrinkable.
• Their argument left him angry and confused.
• The accident left him paralyzed.
• Your kind words leave me speechless.
• I'll leave the door unlocked for you.
• She left the door/window open.
• Did you leave the lights on?
• Much was left undone.
• Let's just leave it at that. [=let's not change it or discuss it further]
- often + -ing verb
• They cut down the trees but left the rosebushes standing.
• It left them wondering when it would all end.
- often + with
• I don't want to punish you, but your actions leave me (with) no/little choice. [=your actions make it necessary for me to punish you]
• They were left with no option but to sell their car. [=they were forced to sell their car]
8 [+ obj]
a : to allow (something) to remain available or unused
• He wanted to leave a way out for himself. = He wanted to leave himself a way out.
• Please leave space/room for another chair.
• Don't eat too much. You need to leave room for dessert. [=you need to leave enough room in your stomach so that you can eat dessert]
• That doesn't leave much room for discussion.
b
✦An amount that is left (over) or that you have left (over) is an amount that remains after the rest has been used or taken away.
• There is only one piece of bread left. [=remaining]
• After feeding 20 people, there was nothing left for me.
• How much time do we have left before we can go home?
• There was no one left in the city after the parade.
• Do we have any pizza left over from last night?
• We have many decorations left over from the party.
9 [+ obj] : to cause (something) to remain as a result, mark, or sign
• The cut left an ugly scar.
• The grape juice left a stain on the carpet.
• The rain is leaving a thin layer of ice on the roads.
• The thief was careful not to leave any clues.
• We promise we won't leave a mess.
• His visit left a lasting impression on our family.
• The experience left a bad taste in my mouth. [=the experience made me feel bad or disgusted]
10 [+ obj]
a : to have (family members) living after your death
• He left (behind) a widow and two children.
• She leaves (behind) 7 children and 28 grandchildren.
b : to give (something, such as money or property) to (someone) after your death
• She left a fortune to her husband.
• His parents left him a house and a small amount of money.
11 [+ obj] mathematics : to have (a number) as a remainder
• Taking 7 from 10 leaves 3.
I must love you and leave you
- see ²love
leave much to be desired
- see ¹desire
leave no stone unturned
- see ¹stone
leave off [phrasal verb]
1 : to stop before finishing a story, conversation, etc.
• Let's begin where we left off.
• Where did we leave off in our conversation?
2 leave off (doing something) informal : to stop (doing something)
• They finally left off trying to reach an agreement.
leave out [phrasal verb] leave out (someone or something) or leave (someone or something) out : to not include or mention (someone or something)
• The movie leaves a lot out of the story.
• You left out the best part.
• Did everyone get a piece of cake? I don't want to leave anyone out.
• They always leave her out of the conversation.
• He always feels left out when his friends talk about sports.
leave (someone) guessing
- see ¹guess
leave (someone) in the dust
- see ¹dust
leave (someone) in the lurch
- see ³lurch
leave (someone or something) alone : to not bother or touch (someone or something)
• Please leave the baby alone. She needs to sleep.
• Please leave the vase alone.
leave (someone or something) be : to not bother or touch (someone or something)
• Please leave [=let] me be.
leave (someone or something) for dead
- see ¹dead
leave (someone) out in the cold
- see ²cold
leave (something) to the imagination
- see imagination
leave well enough alone or Brit leave well alone : to stop changing something that is already good enough
• He just doesn't know when to leave well enough alone.
leave you cold
- see ¹cold
leave you to your own devices
- see device
left at the altar
- see altar
take it or leave it
- see ¹take