play truant

The expression play truant is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the play truant idiom.

Meaning of "play truant"

Meaning

The idiom 'play truant' is used to describe someone who deliberately skips school or an important event. It implies an intentional act of evasion or avoidance of due responsibility. It is most commonly used in reference to children, but may also apply to adults who are trying to shirk their duties.

Etymology

The phrase ‘play truant’ originates from England in the 16th century. It is derived from the words ‘truant’, which originally referred to a beggar or vagrant, and ‘truants’, which was the old term used to describe students who avoided attending school. It was first recorded in 1541 by Thomas More in his book ‘Utopia’, in which he described the punishment of students who ‘play truants’.

Usage

The idiom ‘play truant’ is used to describe someone who deliberately skips an important event or class, often in order to have more free time. It can also be used to describe someone who avoids facing up to their responsibilities, such as an adult who seeks to avoid work or a person who avoids paying taxes.

Example Sentences

• The teacher was angry when she noticed some students had been playing truant and skipping classes.
• Joe was playing truant when he should have been at work and his boss was not pleased.
• The parents were worried when they discovered their child had been playing truant and missing school.

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.