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leak

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leak in (to something)

[for a fluid] to work its way into something. Some of the soapy water leaked into the soil. The rainwater is leaking in!

See also: leak

leak out

[for information] to become known unofficially. I hope that news of the new building does not leak out before the contract is signed. When the story leaked out, my telephone would not stop ringing.

See also: leak, out

leak out (of something)

[for a fluid] to seep out of something or some place. Some of the brake fluid leaked out of the car and made a spot on the driveway. Look under the car. Something's leaking out.

See also: leak, out

leak something (out)

 and let something (get) out

Fig. to disclose special information to the press so that the resulting publicity will accomplish something. (Usually said of government disclosures. Also used for accidental disclosures.) Don't leak that information out. I don't want to be the one to leak it.

leak something to someone

Fig. to tell [otherwise secret] information to someone. The government leaked a phony story to the press just to see how far it would travel. The government leaks things to the press occasionally, just to see the reaction.

See also: leak

leak through something

[for a fluid] to seep through something. Rainwater leaked through the roof. I was afraid that the crushed orange would leak through the paper bag.

See also: leak

take a leak

Inf. to urinate. (Crude. Use caution with the topic. Usually in reference to a male.) I gotta go take a leak. Back in a minute. He just went out to take a leak.

See also: leak, take

take a leak

(rude)

to excrete urine He could see the truck driver with his back to them, taking a leak against an old tree.

Usage notes: usually said about men or boys, but sometimes said about an animal: The dog ran under the trees and took a leak.

See also: leak, take

take a leak

  (very informal!)

to pass liquid waste out of the body I'll be back in a moment - I've gotta take a leak.

See also: leak, take

take a leak

Urinate, as in Excuse me, I've got to take a leak. [ Vulgar slang; c. 1930]

See also: leak, take

leak out

v.

1. To flow out through some breach or flaw in a container; seep out: Water leaked out the crack in the pipe. As the air leaked out of the balloon, it got smaller and smaller.

2. To become known to the public through a breach of secrecy: We were supposed to keep the date a secret, but it leaked out.

3. To release secret information to the public through unofficial channels: A disgruntled worker leaked the scandalous information out to the reporter. Someone leaked out news of the fraudulent business deal to the newspapers.

See also: leak, out

take a leak

and take a piss and take a squirt

tv. to urinate. (Crude. Often objectionable. Usually in reference to a male. Leak is the mildest and piss is the strongest.) I gotta go take a leak. Back in a minute. We stopped at a rest area so old Harry could take a piss.

See also: leak, take

take a leak

Vulgar Slang

To urinate.

See also: leak, take

spring a leak

To starting leak a fluid suddenly: The boat sprang a leak. My balloon has sprung a leak.

See also: leak, spring