📚 Definition of the Idiom Leave Word
To leave word means to pass on a message or inform someone indirectly, especially when you cannot talk to the person directly. It’s often used when someone wants to notify or update another person through a third party or message system.
Simple Definition:
"Leave word" means to let someone know something by telling another person or leaving a message.
🕰️ Origin and Background of Leave Word
The idiom leave word has been in use since at least the 18th century. It stems from the older sense of the word "word" meaning news, message, or information. In earlier times—before phones, emails, and instant messaging—people would often leave word with a servant, receptionist, or another contact to ensure that their message was delivered later.
Its usage has stood the test of time and is still relevant today, especially in workplaces, customer service settings, and casual conversations.
🗣️ When and How to Use Leave Word
Leave word is commonly used when:
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You call someone who isn’t available and want to leave a message.
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You ask someone else to notify a third person for you.
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You’re informing someone indirectly about a plan, change, or instruction.
👉 Typical Contexts:
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At work: “I’ll leave word with your assistant.”
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On the phone: “Can I leave word in case she calls back?”
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In emergencies: “He left word that he’d be late.”
🎠Tone and Formality of Leave Word
The idiom leave word is neutral to slightly formal. It is perfectly acceptable in both professional and casual contexts, but you may hear it more often in workplaces, service industries, or formal conversations.
It is not slang, but it's slightly old-fashioned in tone—often used in professional or polite situations rather than modern digital chatter.
✍️ 5 Natural Sentence Examples Using Leave Word
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Please leave word with the receptionist that I’ll arrive at 3 PM instead of noon.
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If the manager isn’t in, could you leave word that I called?
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He left word with his neighbor to water the plants while he was away.
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She didn’t answer, so I left word on her voicemail about the rescheduled meeting.
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Don’t worry, I’ll leave word for the delivery guy to leave it at the back door.
🧠Memory Tips for Remembering Leave Word
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Visual Trick: Imagine leaving a sticky note with a single “word” on someone’s desk—it’s a message they’ll get later.
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Rhyme to Remember:
“If you can’t be heard, just leave word!” -
Associate it with real-life moments: like calling a hotel front desk to pass a message to someone in a room.
😂 A Funny Way to Remember It
Imagine this:
You walk into an office. The receptionist is surrounded by hundreds of giant floating WORDS—all left behind by people trying to reach the boss. Each word is a literal letter-shaped balloon—some say “Call me,” others say “Out to lunch.” You finally say, “Can I leave word too?” and hand over a balloon that says “Tell him I ate his sandwich.” 🥪
That’s leave word—leaving a message when you can't talk directly.
📌 Final Thoughts
The idiom leave word may sound old-school, but it’s still a polite and professional way to talk about delivering a message indirectly. Whether you’re leaving a voicemail, telling a colleague to pass something on, or asking someone else to relay a note, leave word is your go-to expression.