do a vanishing act

do a vanishing act

To depart or go away very suddenly or without warning, especially so as to avoid doing or dealing with something. My roommate loves to throw parties here, but she always does a vanishing act the next day when everything needs to be cleaned up! Brian is nearly two weeks late finishing his sales report—that's why he's been doing a vanishing act whenever the boss is around. I bet the interns did a vanishing act because they heard you want them to stuff envelopes!

See also: act, vanish

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

do/perform/stage a disapˈpearing/ˈvanishing act

(informal) go away or be impossible to find when people need or want you: Ian always does a disappearing act when it’s time to wash the dishes.This refers to a magic trick done by a magician in which they make themselves or another person disappear.

See also: act, disappear, perform, stage, vanish

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017