Bail

Bail (verb / US Slang)

(Also heard as: Bail on, Bailed, Bailing)

Definition:

To bail is to leave suddenly, or to cancel plans at the last minute. “Bail on someone” means to let them down by not showing up.

Where Bail Comes From:

It probably comes from the older idea of bailing out of a boat or an aircraft, which means abandoning it in a hurry. In American English it became everyday slang for leaving or backing out.

How People Actually Use Bail:

Used for leaving early: “I’m gonna bail”. It is also used for cancelling: “she bailed on dinner”.

Is Bail Rude?

Not rude, but bailing on a friend can feel unreliable, so people may be annoyed if you do it a lot.

Examples in the Wild:

• “I’m gonna bail, it’s getting late.”Meaning: I’m going to leave, it’s getting late.
• “He bailed on me at the last minute.”Meaning: He cancelled on me at the last moment.
• “Don’t bail on us, we need you.”Meaning: Don’t let us down by dropping out.

Similar Slang:

Bounce, Ghosting, Leg It, Skive

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