"Duck Out": The Essential Guide to This Common British Phrasal Verb

Slang terms are a really fun way to talk to people. This is so because they definitely enhance the quality of your conversation. You try to use slang terms whenever you do not want the conversation to be too serious and want to make things a little comfortable for others. Most of them are used in the most informal way, and you can definitely not use them in your office. 

This slang that we are going to talk about today is also one of those slang that are more on the informal side. We are talking about the slang term duck out. This slang has been reappearing on many platforms. People also really want to know what this is and what it actually means. We will discuss every single detail about it below so you can be well-informed.

Let’s get into the details below.

What Does It Really Mean?

The slang term duck out is something that people use whenever they have to disappear from a certain situation. For example, the exact meaning of this slang is to leave or to just disappear in the quietest way. When somebody leaves without leaving a trace behind, and when nobody knows about their leaving, then you can use the slang word duck out for them. This slang is also used when somebody is not ready to take any responsibility and they are trying to run away from their work. We will talk about the examples below so you can completely understand them.

The Origin of the Slang

Getting to the next point, which is the origin of the slang. In earlier times, whenever somebody would bend their neck to avoid getting hit by something, they would say “to duck”. That is exactly where the slang term has come from, and now, when people leave some space, they are said to be ducking out of a particular situation. The origin of the slang is not too complicated and is also really easy for everyone to understand.

Alternatives That You Can Use

Most people like using slang terms because they make conversations fun. But then there are some people, no matter where they are sitting they do not like informal words in their conversations. So they definitely want to get some alternatives that do not sound funny and are more on the professional side. Some of the formal alternatives for slang duck out are “withdrawing”, “backing out”, or “signing off”. You can use these words as alternatives to this informal slang whenever you are in a formal setting. 

Examples of the Slang

For the people who do not know how to use this slang in a conversation, we have got you covered. Below, we are going to discuss some of the examples that you can go through and understand the sense of the slang.

If you meet somebody who left a meeting suddenly without letting anybody know, you can say “ this person ducked out of the meeting”. Similarly, if someone is not ready to take responsibility for something, you can definitely say, “You have to complete your work, and you cannot just duck off like that”. 

Is It Still Used Often?

For everyone who has been wondering whether this slang is still used often or not, here is your answer. This slang is definitely one of the most popular slang words that are still used very often. People like to add them to their everyday conversations. Even though it is an informal slang, you must have heard it at least once here and there. Similarly, it is also often seen on different social media platforms being used by people. 

Bottom Line

There are a few slang terms that die down with time, and you don't get to hear about them ever again. But then there are some slang like Duck Out that are still going really strong and are popular. You don’t get to hear about this slang term on social media in different ways, and also, people use it in their daily lives.

So now the next time you see somebody leaving without a trace and without letting anybody know, you can just message them and ask them “why did they duck out”? They may not understand it at first, but at least you will have fun asking this question. 

FAQs

Are duck out and back off the same?

Yes, both these words are absolutely the same. You use the slang term duck out in the most informal way, while back off is used in a formal setting.

What does duck out really mean?

The meaning of duck out is to disappear from a particular situation without letting anybody know. It is also used for people who are not ready to take on responsibilities. 

Can this slang be used in a formal way?

No, you can definitely not use this slang in a formal way because it is a quirky one that only looks good when you’re sitting in the middle of your friends.