leave word

Idioms  

1. Leave a message, as in Please leave word at the desk when you check out, or I left word abut my plans with the secretary; didn't she tell you? This expression employs word in the sense of “information,” a usage dating from the 10th century.

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Example Sentences

I’d read the book overnight, and Bowman had stood by for my assessment, but I had some kind of urgent appointment, and had to leave word with my friend Maureen, knowing he’d call.

From The New Yorker

He’d never heard of Red Cross messages, which allow, say, a child and parent who have become separated, to leave word for each other when they don’t know where the other person is or even whether he or she is alive.

From The New Yorker

If you do not find this corned beef all you had hoped it would be, just leave word with the executor of your estate to return the remaining unopened cans to us.”

From New York Times

Political campaigns and survey takers should know better than to call people at late -- or early -- hours, but some apparently believe they stand a better chance of getting their message across if they can leave word on someone's answering machine.

From Los Angeles Times

"At least you will leave word where you are going, Miss Florence."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advise
• announce
• confess
• declare
• disclose
• explain
• express
• inform
• instruct
• mention
• notify
• order
• report
• reveal
• say
• speak
• state
• summon