leave behind

present singular third person leaves behind · participle present leaving behind · participle past left behind · past left behind

1. idiomatictransitiveTo abandon.

   We left behind our luggage at the hotel.

   5 more examples

   How could you leave me behind like that?

   Goodbye / Doesn't mean a thing with you and I, oh / Our love has stood through all the tests of time / Yes, it has / If you're planning to leave me behind, oh / Let me put one more thing on your mind

   1981, Atlantic Starr, “Send For Me”, in Radiant

   Dr. Chakwas: Shepard? You... you came for us. Shepard: No one gets left behind.

   2010, BioWare, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Collector Base

   Don't think I've left you all behind Still love you and Tennessee You're always on my mind

   2020 April 3, Chappell Roan, Dan Nigro, “Pink Pony Club”performed by Chappell Roan

   That's because, having left behind his senior position on the national network at the West Midlands Rail Executive in mid-March […], the energetic but mild-mannered Holmes has brought a distinctly forward-looking agenda to the Leicestershire heritage operation he now leads.

   2023 August 23, Malcolm Holmes tells Paul Stephen, “A mission to develop GCR's legacy”, in RAIL, number 990, page 38

2. idiomatictransitiveTo forget about.

   Just leave your cares behind you and enjoy the party.

   1 more example

   We (accidentally) left behind our bags at the airport.

3. idiomatictransitiveTo not live longer than; to be survived by.

   Mrs Johnston died at thirty, and left behind three young daughters.

4. idiomatictransitiveTo leave (a trace of something).

   The wound I got in my car accident left behind a massive scar.

   2 more examples

   Unfortunately, this cleaning product leaves behind a noticeable residue.

   The shocking thing about Christopher’s disappearance is that he vanished within sight of his co-workers. All he left behind were a few traces and a mystery that was never solved.

   2026 August 23, Aniket Chaughule, “Christopher Thompkins Vanished From a Georgia Survey Site in 2002. His Coworkers Were Only 50 Feet Away”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 24 Aug 2026

5. idiomatictransitiveTo outdo; to progress faster than (someone or something else).

   This product leaves behind all its competitors in the market.

6. idiomatictransitiveTo pass.

   As soon as we made our way onto the highway, we left the skyscrapers behind us.

7. idiomaticUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see leave, behind.