to skip town
28
8.1
- phrasal verb
- /skɪp taʊn/
- Informal
:
largarse
- We can't just skip town.
- just skipped town
- then skipped town
- try to skip town
Examples
-
They've either skipped town or they'll go bankrupt.
Fiction book (1995) -
We're off on our way skipping town off to the South of France.
-
You were supposed to skip town or give us the money.
-
I bet she skipped town.
-
So I figured I'd skip town.
Fiction book (2002) -
The jerk skipped town and took his trailer with him.
-
I'd like to speak to her, too, but she skipped town, owin' me two months' rent.
-
A guy owes you fifteen grand, and he skips town.
Fiction book (1995) -
In 1926, his bank failed, Coggins went bankrupt, and he skipped town, leaving considerable economic damage behind him.
Academic text (2013) -
He skipped town last night to escape his mounting debts.
Synonyms
632
3.5
Leave a person, place, or situation without taking part anymore
550
1.6
To leave secretly and quickly to get away from danger or control
260
3.7
To leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying goodbye
247
7.1
Leave suddenly to avoid a responsibility or task
147
3.7
To leave a place quickly and secretly to avoid trouble
125
3.7
To leave a place quietly so no one notices you
78
2.0
Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something
39
3.8
To leave a place quietly without anyone noticing
33
4.0
Leave a place quietly so others do not notice
32
3.4
To leave a place quietly without anyone noticing
22
7.2
To leave without telling anyone to avoid a duty or responsibility
17
3.6
To leave a place quietly without being noticed
12
7.2
To leave a place quickly and quietly to avoid something you should do
12
7.9
To leave a place suddenly without permission
11
4.4
Leave a place quickly to avoid being caught after causing or seeing trouble
7
9.2
Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger
5
5.8
To leave a place suddenly and unexpectedly
5
4.9
Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared
5
6.6
Leave a place quickly because people are angry or you are in trouble
5
7.2
Leave quickly to go somewhere or to avoid trouble
4
8.5
To leave a place quickly and secretly to avoid being caught
4
6.3
To leave a meeting or party quietly so no one notices
4
9.9
To leave a place suddenly without telling anyone to avoid trouble
2
9.8
To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble
2
9.6
To leave without paying, often on a bus or train
1
9.1
To leave a place quietly or suddenly without telling others
1
7.9
To leave a place quickly, often without saying goodbye
To leave a place quickly and secretly, often taking things or someone
To leave quickly to avoid trouble or attention
Leave a place quickly because you are not welcome
To leave a place suddenly, usually to go somewhere else
To leave work or school suddenly to have secret fun instead of doing duties
Escape everyday problems and stress by leaving for a while
Antonyms
How Secretly
Surface Forms
Morphology
The core meaning — leaving a town quickly — is directly suggested by 'skip' (leave suddenly) + 'town' (a settlement), so learners can infer a basic sense of departure. However, the conventional nuance of secrecy and specifically fleeing to avoid trouble or debt is more idiomatic and not fully predictable from the constituents, so full understanding likely requires prior exposure.
Etymology
Skip town creates a picture: imagine someone literally skipping away from a town, leaving quickly and quietly so no one catches them. So it means 'to leave a place suddenly and secretly', often to avoid trouble or debt.