These meetings are critical if there is to be any functioning local government when the French leave.

"Well, I'd rather think of it as French leave."

"Do you repent of having taken French leave from Vulcan's stithy?"

The French leave there butter out all the time, and they're good with the food, those French.

Here, thought the android, was a golden opportunity to take French leave.

Hence, jocularly, to take French leave is to go away, or do anything, without permission or notice.

The refugees fear that when the French leave, the militia will return to kill them.

"But we will live here, under the rain and the sun, until the French leave here."

"Would you like to go off on a little French leave, Lois?"

"He made himself disagreeable, and, not being able to have his own way, he took French leave."