Fly the coop
/flaɪ ðə kuːp/informalUK · US
What does “Fly the coop” mean?
Fly the coop means to leave or escape from a place
Guests who disappear before the washing-up might be said to have flown the coop. The speaker is making their departure sound like an escape.
It can also describe someone leaving home. It is not limited to escaping prison, and the departure need not be dangerous.
When do people say it?
Use it for leaving a place where someone was expected to stay. It often sounds playful about an escape or an unannounced departure.
“By the time we started washing up, the guests had flown the coop.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
A coop is a shelter for poultry. Flying out of it supplies the image of getting away from confinement.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Fly the coop” in other languages?
Last updated 2026-10-01