leave out
1. To not put something away in its proper place. A noun or pronoun can be used between "leave" and "out." Don't leave your dirty clothes out in the middle of the living room! Aw man, I accidentally left out the ice cream—now it's all melted.
2. To withhold or omit something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "leave" and "out." Your paper is nicely written, but you left your references out. I did talk to Mom, I just left out the part about getting detention.
3. To ignore, forget, or exclude, as from a group, activity, benefit, etc. In this usage, the phrase is usually used in the past tense ("left out"). A noun or pronoun can be used between "leave" and "out." Of course I felt left out when you guys went to the concert without me! You know it hurts your brother's feelings when you leave him out of things.
when in doubt, leave it out
cliché If you're uncertain about incorporating, using, or consuming something, don't take any such action. A: "I just worry that the kids won't eat the mac and cheese if I make it with Gruyère." B: "When in doubt, leave it out. Making something the kids won't eat isn't worth the aggravation." A: "Should I take this phrase out of my speech? Do you think listeners will find it offensive?" B: "Why include anything that could be taken the wrong way? When in doubt, leave it out."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.