disappearing act
[ˌdɪsəˈpɪrɪŋ ˈækt]
nounpl: disappearing acts
desaparecimento repentino
1. The act of suddenly leaving or vanishing without explanation or warning, often when one is expected to be present
When it was time to pay the bill, he pulled a disappearing act and went to the bathroom.
Quando chegou a hora de pagar a conta, ele fez um desaparecimento repentino e foi ao banheiro.
2. A magic trick in which a person or object seemingly vanishes from sight
The magician's disappearing act amazed the audience.
O truque de desaparecimento do mágico impressionou o público.
3. An instance of someone or something becoming unavailable or absent when needed
After the scandal, the politician's disappearing act from public view lasted several months.
Após o escândalo, o desaparecimento do político da vida pública durou vários meses.
This phrase is commonly used in both American and Brazilian English to describe someone avoiding responsibility or unexpectedly leaving a situation. In Brazil, it's often used humorously when someone avoids paying for something or leaves a social gathering without saying goodbye. The phrase gained popularity through magic shows and has become an idiomatic expression in everyday speech.
NYC Slang
ghosting (when referring to abandoning someone socially); ditching (when referring to evading responsibility)
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