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to make oneself scarce
01
to leave or disappear, usually to avoid trouble, confrontation, or unwanted attention
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "make oneself scarce" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "make oneself scarce" is a bit unclear, but it likely emerged in the 19th century. The word "scarce" has a long history of meaning "in short supply" or "hard to find." The idiom gained popularity in the 1800s and has since become a common way to express the act of intentionally disappearing or avoiding a situation.
Examples
When the landlord came around to collect the overdue rent, Tom decided to make himself scarce and went out for a walk.
As soon as the teacher announced a surprise quiz, some students attempted to make themselves scarce by pretending to be engrossed in their textbooks.
