AWOL

absent without leave

Not present for a duty or situation without permission. The phrase is usually used in reference to military service, and is often abbreviated with the acronym "AWOL." The young soldier was arrested for being absent without leave.
See also: absent, leave, without

AWOL

An acronym for "absent without leave," referring to someone or something that has gone missing suddenly and without warning. It is originally a military phrase for one who leaves their post or duties without permission but without intention to desert. In colloquial usage, it can be used as an adverb or an adjective. The printer from the third floor is AWOL, does anyone know where it went? Jerry went AWOL after a few drinks. None of us even knew he had left until half an hour later.

go AWOL

To go missing suddenly and without warning. "AWOL" is an acronym for "absent without leave." It is originally a military phrase for one who leaves their post or duties without permission but without intention to desert. The printer from the third floor has gone AWOL—does anyone know where it went? Jerry went AWOL after a few drinks. None of us even knew he had left until half an hour later.
See also: AWOL, go
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*absent without leave

absent from a military unit without permission; absent from anything without permission. (AWOL is an abbreviation. This is a serious offense in the military. *Typically: be ~; go ~.) The soldier was taken away by the military police because he was absent without leave.
See also: absent, leave, without

go AWOL

to become absent without leave. (Originally military.) Private Smith went AWOL last Wednesday. Now he's in a military prison. Tom went AWOL and finally we had to fire him.
See also: AWOL, go
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

absent without leave

Away without permission or explanation, as in Her daughter went to the mall but got in trouble for being absent without leave. The term and its acronym, AWOL, originated in the American military during World War I for soldiers absent from duty without permission (leave). It later was transferred to civilian situations, as in John didn't just cut his Tuesday classes; he went AWOL.
See also: absent, leave, without
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

go ˈAWOL

go missing without permission or explanation: He’s gone AWOL. The guitarist suddenly went AWOL in the middle of the tour.
This expression is used in the armed forces when someone has left their group without permission. It stands for Absent WithOut Leave.
See also: AWOL, go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

AWOL

(e ˈdəblæju ˈo ˈɛl and ˈewɑl)
mod. absent without leave; escaped from prison or from the military. (Acronym or initialism.) If I don’t get back to the base, they’re going to think I’m AWOL.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • absent without leave
  • rest in peace
  • (one's) best foot forward
  • in my humble opinion
  • nota bene
  • come to mention it
  • too long; didn't read
  • information
References in periodicals archive
The AWOL rate among Afghans is far higher than for other foreign national trainees.
152 Afghan trainees AWOL in U.S
And within Goon Squad, AWOL's computer recycling program, they learn to strip down old computers to their component parts, record their specs, wipe their hard drives, reassemble them, and install new operating systems.
A walk on the tech side: at-risk youth rescue computers and themselves
"One of the reasons Gavin got beasted is because he went Awol for a week.
We'd rather die than go back, say Awol soldiers
Treble and Jones, both 22, went AWOL on March 3 from Buckley Barracks, near Hullavington, where they were serving with 9 Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps.
SQUADDIES ON THE RUN
Went AWOL June 2005 to resist Iraq redeployment, later won honorable discharge.
From US war resisters, a letter of solidarity to students who refuse to serve in the Israeli military
The Democratic state rep from Hampton has pretty much been AWOL at the State House since his election in '06, missing more than 100 votes in 2007 and only making nine votes this entire session.
F&J tote board
The private was arrested in Crumlin, Dublin, on Tuesday after being AWOL for two months He was held by gardai on suspicion of handling illegal firearms.
AWOL soldier nabbed
Interviewees in the BBC Panorama programme says thousands of soldiers are going Awol after their pleas for help in dealing with mental trauma arising from the war fall on deaf ears.
INTERNATIONAL: 'Thousands of Awol troops flee Iraq'
Military police specialist Suzanne Swift on Wednesday was formally sentenced to 30 days in jail and reduced in rank back to private for staying AWOL in Oregon last winter while her unit was sent to Iraq.
AWOL soldier sentenced to 30 days
ELEVEN soldiers have gone AWOL from a Midland infantry since it was announced they would be returning to Iraq.
11 Midland troops AWOL
After returning from duty in Iraq, he went AWOL. Before turning himself in this August, Clousing held a press conference outlining his opposition to the war.
Vets against war
This longitudinal study examines characteristics associated with the timing of three potential foster care outcomes: reunification, adoption and running away from care (ie AWOL).
Children and Youth Services Review: 'Leaving foster care: the influence of child and case characteristics on foster care exit rates'
AWOL: THE UNEXCUSED ABSENCE OF AMERICA'S UPPER CLASSES FROM MILITARY SERVICE AND HOW IT HURTS OUR COUNTRY considers class and the military--and how America's upper middle class members receive a different type of military experience--and sometimes none--than their less favored peers.
AWOL
They feel directly threatened, and they're willing to go AWOL at work and risk their livelihood to demand fair treatment.
Fear and loafing
Awol On The Appalachian Trail by David Miller is the personal story of the author's 146 day, backpacking hike along the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in 2003, averaging more than 17 miles a day from beginning to end.
Awol On The Appalachian Trail