duck out
phrasal verb
ducked out; ducking out; ducks out
informal
: to leave suddenly and usually without telling anyone that one is leaving
We ducked out after the first act of the play.
—often + on or ofThey ducked out on us without even saying goodbye.
I had to duck out of the meeting to take a phone call.
—often used figuratively and in a sneaky or improper wayHe wants to duck out of the contract.
She ducked out on paying the bill for the meal.
Examples of duck out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her only friend is her childhood pal Betsy (Anna Camp, trying her best), and even that connection has grown distant thanks to Sam’s habit of suddenly and inexplicably going AWOL — as demonstrated in an opening scene where Sam ducks out of Betsy’s bachelorette party for an urgent mission.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
Cuomo ducks out, suffered verbal missteps The former governor, whose campaign has been marked by a lack of media access, slipped out of the theater as other candidates spoke to reporters to recap the debate.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
The last two batters might as well have ducked out the way on strike three, nervous that Winter’s 90-something mph fastball was headed straight for their shoulders, only to be greeted with the break of a slider good enough to get out professional hitters.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025
Rami even impersonated his brother to deliver an acting monologue to help Sami pass a college class — then ducked out before anyone could ask too many questions.
—Amy Jamieson, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Constant vigilance is necessary because drownings can happen within minutes, and young children especially can wander off or duck out of sight quickly.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Security camera video shows the suspects walking by a pool at a home on Waldo Place and ducking out of sight behind a trampoline, before climbing up a hill.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
After finishing their meal, the trio waited for their server to leave before ducking out of the restaurant, but not before reportedly posting a photo of their dinner on social media, tagging the restaurant and thanking them for the free food.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The driver of the 19 car ducked out of Duel No. 1 early to preserve his pole-winning car.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2025
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Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
Cuomo ducks out, suffered verbal missteps The former governor, whose campaign has been marked by a lack of media access, slipped out of the theater as other candidates spoke to reporters to recap the debate.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
The last two batters might as well have ducked out the way on strike three, nervous that Winter’s 90-something mph fastball was headed straight for their shoulders, only to be greeted with the break of a slider good enough to get out professional hitters.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025
Rami even impersonated his brother to deliver an acting monologue to help Sami pass a college class — then ducked out before anyone could ask too many questions.
—Amy Jamieson, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Constant vigilance is necessary because drownings can happen within minutes, and young children especially can wander off or duck out of sight quickly.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Security camera video shows the suspects walking by a pool at a home on Waldo Place and ducking out of sight behind a trampoline, before climbing up a hill.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
After finishing their meal, the trio waited for their server to leave before ducking out of the restaurant, but not before reportedly posting a photo of their dinner on social media, tagging the restaurant and thanking them for the free food.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The driver of the 19 car ducked out of Duel No. 1 early to preserve his pole-winning car.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Duck out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duck%20out. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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