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AWOL or A-W-O-L is an abbreviation for absent without leave.
This term and its pronunciation as an acronym, as we know it today, originated in the United States Military during World War I although there are unsubstantiated claims that it originated earlier, such as during the Civil War. The phrase itself, absent without leave, was used as early as the 1600s.
Absent Without Leave Meaning
To be absent without leave, in the military, means to absent from your military duties, from your base or station, without permission.
In order to spend time away from military duty, such as to spend time with family, one has to put in advance notice for leave, or what used to be called furlough. If a soldier goes away without applying for leave, he has gone AWOL. Originally, though, the word leave simply meant ‘permission.’ It takes a bit more than simple permission to ‘go on leave’ today. Military members, like many civilian employees, are allowed a certain amount of paid leave each year.
The term AWOL extended into general use and can be used anytime someone is not where they are supposed or expected to be, such as at work, school, or even at home.
“Looks like Jerry is AWOL today. Just like him to not show up on inventory day!”
Here is a colorful idiom from the military you can also use: go ballistic.
“If mom finds out you were AWOL from school she’ll go ballistic.”
To go ballistic is to become very angry, wildly or irrationally so. It’s often used in an exaggerated way. It is probably inspired by the older idiom ‘go berserk.’
Ballistic refers to a ballistic missile. Despite them being called ballistic missiles, the idiom does not refer simply to a missile being launched and/or exploding on its target.
A ballistic missile is only guided or controlled during a brief period at the beginning of its launch when it is under power. After that, where the missile goes is subject to the laws of mechanics or, ballistics.
At this point, although its flight can be predicted it is ‘out of control.’ And, indeed, sometimes missiles go out of control prematurely. Such a missile has ‘gone ballistic’ too soon, hence the idiom. Such a missile could touch down and explode in an unpredictable place or manner.
Examples Of Use
“I almost went awol when my car broke down at the end of my leave, but luckily my supervisor was a good buddy and gave me an extra day off.”
“If you are AWOL for more than 30 days, you’re considered a deserter. That’s way more serious!”
“The governor has been AWOL during this crisis and the press is going ballistic.”
“You can’t depend on the building superintendent to fix anything. He’s been basically AWOL for a couple of years, now.”
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