1 B1 informal
To leave a place quietly and without drawing attention, especially to avoid staying for the full duration.
"We ducked out of the party early because we had an early flight the next morning."
inseparable
duck out
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To leave a place discreetly or to avoid a responsibility, often at the last minute.
In plain English
To quietly leave a place or to avoid doing something you were supposed to do.
What does "duck out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To avoid a responsibility, commitment, or obligation, especially in a sneaky or last-minute way.
"She always finds a way to duck out of the difficult conversations."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To duck (lower the head) and go out — as if slipping under a barrier to escape.
Actually means
To quietly leave a place or to avoid doing something you were supposed to do.
Usage tip
Commonly followed by 'of' ('duck out of something'). Used in both British and American English. Implies a degree of avoidance or covertness. Can refer to physically leaving a place quickly or metaphorically withdrawing from an obligation.
Words that pair with "duck out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
meeting party responsibility commitment early quietly
How to conjugate "duck out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
duck out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ducks out
he/she/it
Past simple
ducked out
yesterday
Past participle
ducked out
have + pp
-ing form
ducking out
continuous
Hear "duck out" in the wild
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