leave behind
Third Person
leaves behind
Present Participle
leaving behind
Past Tense
left behind
Past Participle
left behind
1
to leave without taking someone or something with one
transitive
- The explorer left his trusty compass behind in the cave.
- The fleeing family was forced to leave behind their belongings in their hurried escape.
- The soldier had left behind his comrades in the battle.
- The traveler had left their passport behind in the hotel room.
- The family left behind their belongings in the rush to evacuate the burning building.
2
to leave a lasting impact on the world or people through one's memories, legacy, and influence
transitive
- The beloved musician has left a legacy of inspiring music behind that will touch generations to come.
- The esteemed scientist left behind a wealth of groundbreaking discoveries that continue to shape our understanding of the world.
- The entrepreneur succumbed to illness, leaving behind a thriving business for his capable team.
- The courageous firefighter had left behind a family who will forever honor their selfless sacrifice.
- Despite her early departure, the young poet left behind a collection of impactful verses.
Synonyms:
3
to surpass someone or something in development, achievement, or advancement
transitive
- The company's innovative technology left behind its competitors in the market.
- The young athlete left her teammates behind during the race, demonstrating her exceptional speed and stamina.
- The economic growth of the region left many neighboring countries behind, creating a disparity in living standards.
- The young prodigy left behind his peers in academic pursuits, excelling in every subject he tackled.
- The rapid development of artificial intelligence has left behind many industries, automating tasks and transforming processes.
4
to leave a mark or sign of something's presence, existence, or occurrence
transitive
- The author left a trail of breadcrumbs behind in their story, subtly hinting at future revelations or plot twists.
- The ancient civilization left behind intricate carvings on the temple walls.
- The explorer's campfire left behind a circle of charred stones as evidence of their overnight stay.
- The astronaut planted a flag on the moon, leaving behind a symbol of human achievement.
- The storm left behind a trail of destruction.
5
to discard or abandon someone or something as no longer relevant or important to one's present or future
transitive
- The artist left behind their childhood dreams of becoming a doctor, embracing their passion for painting instead.
- The entrepreneur left behind their troubled past, focusing on building a successful business and a brighter future.
- The traveler left behind the familiar comforts of home, venturing into the unknown in search of new adventures.
- The student left behind their outdated textbooks, choosing to rely on more current resources and knowledge.
- The former athlete left behind the glory days of his competitive career, embracing a quieter life as a coach.
6
to move past a person or thing
transitive
- With each step, the exhausted hiker left the steep mountain trail behind.
- The fast-paced car left behind the slower vehicles on the highway.
- As the train departed, he waved to the platform, leaving the familiar sights behind.
- The train left the bustling cityscape behind, entering serene landscapes.
- The airplane ascended and left the city lights behind, entering the dark expanse of the night sky.
7
to be survived by individuals after one's death
transitive
- Despite his untimely demise, John left behind a loving family who cherished his memory.
- Tragically, the accident claimed her life, leaving behind a grieving husband and two children.
- After a long battle with illness, he passed away, leaving behind a devoted wife and two sons.
- The soldier sacrificed his life in the line of duty, leaving behind a proud but grieving family.