Without so much as a by your leave

Definitions

doing something without permission or without informing someone
to express surprise or disapproval when someone does something without asking for permission or giving a proper notification

Examples of Without so much as a by your leave

As she packed her bags, her roommate suddenly turned on the music blasting it at full volume without so much as a by your leave.

This idiom is used when someone does something without seeking permission or informing others beforehand. In this example, the roommate turned on the music without asking her roommate's permission.
The curtains in the theater were drawn without so much as a by your leave, causing the actors to stumble over their lines.

In this example, the curtains were drawn without telling the actors, causing them to be caught off guard as they were not prepared for the performance to begin.
She slipped into the room without so much as a by your leave, surprising her friend who was caught off guard.

Here, the person entered the room without informing or seeking permission from her friend, causing her friend to be caught off guard.
He began to speak without so much as a by your leave, interrupting the speaker on the stage.

This idiom can also be used when someone starts speaking without letting others finish their speech. In this example, the person interrupted the speaker on stage without seeking permission or waiting for the speaker to finish.
The burglar sneaked into the store and made off with the cash without so much as a by your leave.

This idiom is used to describe an action taken without seeking permission or making any sort of announcement beforehand. In this example, the burglar entered the store and stole the money without asking the store owner for permission or giving any notice.
She started painting the room without so much as a by your leave, much to the surprise of her roommate.

The idiom is also used to describe unexpected actions taken without prior notification. In this example, the roommate was caught off guard when she saw her roommate begin painting the room without any warning.
The boss announced a meeting for tomorrow without so much as a by your leave, leaving everyone scrambling to prepare.

This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe actions taken without any form of consultation or cooperation from others involved. In this case, the boss called a meeting without giving anyone any notice or input into the decision.
He left the party without so much as a by your leave, leaving his friends bewildered and confused.

The idiom is used to describe abrupt or surprising departures from a situation. In this example, the person left the party without saying goodbye or giving any indication that he was leaving.

Conclusion

The idiom "without so much as a by your leave" is used to express surprise or disapproval when someone does something without asking for permission or giving a proper notification. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in personal relationships, business dealings, or social interactions, to convey the idea of acting without consideration for others.

Origin of "Without so much as a by your leave"

The origin of the idiom "without so much as a by your leave" can be traced back to the 16th century in England. The phrase "by your leave" originally meant asking for someone's permission or consent, and "so much as" was added to emphasize the lack of consideration or notification. Over time, the expression evolved to convey the idea of doing something without permission or informing someone, and it has been used in English language and literature to depict instances of rudeness or disregard for social norms. For example, in classic literature, the idiom is often used to highlight a character's lack of manners or respect for others. Overall, the idiom "without so much as a by your leave" has a long history of conveying the notion of acting without proper permission or notification.