missing in action
The term "missing in action" originated in the military to describe personnel whose whereabouts are unknown during or after combat.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1Military
(formal, technical)A member of the armed forces who is unaccounted for during or after a combat mission, with their fate unknown.
Example
- Several soldiers were reported missing in action after the battle.
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)Someone who is unexpectedly absent or not participating in an expected activity.
Example
- John was missing in action at the meeting today.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "missing in action":