By/with your leave

phrase

Used to ask for permission or to excuse one's actions.

By your leave, may I ask a question?
Visual representation of "by/with your leave" - Used to ask for permission or to excuse one's actions.

Often appears as...

  • excuse me
  • by your leave

Usage tips

Formal

Idiomatic

phrase

Used to indicate that someone is doing something without permission.

He took it upon himself to leave early, by your leave.
Visual representation of "by/with your leave" - Used to indicate that someone is doing something without permission.

Often appears as...

  • without your leave
  • took it by your leave

Usage tips

Formal

Idiomatic

phrase

Used to ask for permission or to excuse one's actions.

By your leave, may I ask a question?
Visual representation of "by/with your leave" - Used to ask for permission or to excuse one's actions.

Often appears as...

  • excuse me
  • by your leave

Usage tips

Formal

Idiomatic

phrase

Used to indicate that someone is doing something without permission.

He took it upon himself to leave early, by your leave.
Visual representation of "by/with your leave" - Used to indicate that someone is doing something without permission.

Often appears as...

  • without your leave
  • took it by your leave

Usage tips

Formal

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "by/with your leave"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Polite Permission

The phrase is a very formal way to ask for approval before you do something.

Illustration for Polite Permission
By your leave, sir, I would like to close the shop early today.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Old-fashioned

It's an archaic phrase, so use it to sound quaint or in historical settings.

Illustration for Old-fashioned
With your leave, madam, I shall retrieve your carriage.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Literary Usage

You may find it used in literature to convey historical or formal settings.

Illustration for Literary Usage
By your leave, I will speak to your father about our engagement.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Polite Permission

The phrase is a very formal way to ask for approval before you do something.

Illustration for Polite Permission
By your leave, sir, I would like to close the shop early today.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Old-fashioned

It's an archaic phrase, so use it to sound quaint or in historical settings.

Illustration for Old-fashioned
With your leave, madam, I shall retrieve your carriage.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Literary Usage

You may find it used in literature to convey historical or formal settings.

Illustration for Literary Usage
By your leave, I will speak to your father about our engagement.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Polite Permission

The phrase is a very formal way to ask for approval before you do something.

Illustration for Polite Permission
By your leave, sir, I would like to close the shop early today.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Old-fashioned

It's an archaic phrase, so use it to sound quaint or in historical settings.

Illustration for Old-fashioned
With your leave, madam, I shall retrieve your carriage.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Literary Usage

You may find it used in literature to convey historical or formal settings.

Illustration for Literary Usage
By your leave, I will speak to your father about our engagement.
Visual representation of the word "By/with your leave"

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