absent without leave

adjective

1. military the full form of AWOL

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

Example Sentences

While City’s midfield went absent without leave in the second half, the veteran Kyle Walker looked every one of his 34 years as he was given a torrid time by Kaoru Mitoma, then substitute Joao Pedro.

From BBC

It was unclear Monday if the soldier is considered absent without leave, or AWOL.

From Seattle Times

Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the spokesperson for the ruling military council, was quoted Tuesday in state media as saying that about 1,000 soldiers who deserted, or went absent without leave or had retired, had gone through the process of requesting the military for their return to service.

From Seattle Times

“If the soldiers who have been declared absent without leave before Dec. 3 return with the intention of serving in the army again, we will consider it as a case of absence without leave instead of desertion and will carry out the acceptance process in order for them to serve,” he said.

From Seattle Times

While he was gone, Army leaders declared him absent without leave, opting to not consider him a deserter, which is far more serious.

From Seattle Times