leave word

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

He would call at Barnard’s Hotel Tuesday morning at nine o’clock, when if not agreeable please leave word.

From Literature

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

“We must talk soon. I’ll leave word with Mr. Watch.”

From Literature

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

Related Words

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