do a vanishing act
do a vanishing act
To depart or go away very suddenly or without warning, especially so as to avoid doing or dealing with something. My roommate loves to throw parties here, but she always does a vanishing act the next day when everything needs to be cleaned up! Brian is nearly two weeks late finishing his sales report—that's why he's been doing a vanishing act whenever the boss is around.
See also: act, vanish
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
do/perform/stage a disapˈpearing/ˈvanishing act
(informal) go away or be impossible to find when people need or want you: Ian always does a disappearing act when it’s time to wash the dishes.This refers to a magic trick done by a magician in which they make themselves or another person disappear.See also: act, disappear, perform, stage, vanish
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- pull a vanishing act
- vanish
- pull a disappearing act
- run off
- depart for (some place)
- depart for some place
- depart this life
- leave
- leave (someone or something) (at) (some place)
- taunt (one) with (something)