walk out

British  

verb

1. to leave without explanation, esp in anger

2. to go on strike

3. informal to abandon or desert

4. obsolete to court or be courted by

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noun

1. a strike by workers

2. the act of leaving a meeting, conference, etc, as a protest

walk-out Cultural  

1. The action of leaving a meeting, place of work, or organization as an expression of disapproval or grievance: “During Grimm's speech, the radical students staged a walk-out.”

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walk out Idioms  

1. Go on strike, as in The union threatened to walk out if management would not listen to its demands . [Late 1800s]

2. Leave suddenly, especially as a sign of disapproval. For example, The play was so bad we walked out after the first act . [First half of 1800s]

3. Also, walk out on . Desert, abandon, as in He walked out on his wife and five children . [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Unified, all three had joined together and vowed to walk out if agreements could not be reached with each union.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

After a good night, Berry and Cynthia would walk out with about $150 each.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

A third of Scotland's MSPs - 42 - will walk out of the famous building for the last time, including former first ministers and first term MSPs.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

When Everton walk out at the Emirates, it will be 428 days since Moyes returned as manager with the club one point above the relegation zone.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

It was a curious statement, but Tom Hannah brushed it off and let Yurchenko walk out; though he was under the care of the CIA, the KGB defector was not a prisoner.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

• disappear
• escape
• flee
• fly
• go
• move
• quit
• retire
• start
• take off
• withdraw