Bail
Meaning: To leave abruptly, or to cancel plans or back out of a commitment.
'Bail' in American slang has two common uses: to leave somewhere ('I need to bail') and to cancel plans or abandon a commitment ('He bailed on dinner'). The second use often implies unreliability — someone who frequently bails on plans gets a reputation for being flaky.
Examples
- Sorry, I have to bail early — something came up. 抱歉,我得先走了——临时有事。Perdona, me tengo que ir antes: me ha surgido algo.ごめん、早く帰らなきゃ — ちょっと用事ができて。미안, 먼저 가봐야 해 — 갑자기 일이 생겨서.
- He bailed on us again. That's the third time this month. 他又放我们鸽子了。这个月已经是第三次了。Nos ha dejado tirados otra vez. Es la tercera vez este mes.彼にまたドタキャンされた。今月これで3回目だよ。걔가 또 약속을 깼어. 이번 달만 세 번째야.
- Don't bail on me tomorrow — I already bought the tickets. 明天别放我鸽子——我已经买好票了。No me dejes colgado mañana, que ya he comprado las entradas.明日すっぽかさないでよ — もうチケット買っちゃったんだから。내일 빠지지 마 — 이미 표 샀거든.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: canceling plans, leaving early, backing out
Tone: casual, sometimes apologetic
✓ Do Say
- I hate to bail, but I'm not feeling great.我不太想走,但身体不太舒服。Siento tener que irme, pero no me encuentro muy bien.I hate to bail, but I'm not feeling great.빠지기 싫은데, 몸이 좀 안 좋아서.
- She always bails at the last minute.她总是在最后一刻放鸽子。Siempre cancela a última hora.She always bails at the last minute.그녀는 항상 마지막 순간에 빠져.
✗ Don't Say
- In professional settings, say 'I need to leave early' or 'I have to cancel' instead在正式场合应该说'我需要提前离开'或'我不得不取消'En contextos profesionales, di 'tengo que irme antes' o 'tengo que cancelar'ビジネスの場では「I need to leave early(早退しなければなりません)」や「I have to cancel(キャンセルしなければなりません)」と言おう격식 있는 상황에서는 '일찍 자리를 떠야 합니다'나 '취소해야 할 것 같습니다'라고 말하는 것이 좋다
Origin & History
From the legal term 'bail' (paying to get out of jail). The slang extension — getting yourself out of a situation — developed in American English in the 1970s-80s. Also influenced by 'bailing out' of a plane.
Cultural Context
Era: 1970s-80s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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