take a walk

   1. American

   to leave employment

   Either voluntarily or involuntarily:

    I think he should take a walk. Who needs this shit? (M. Thomas, 1985 — he referred to a troublesome affair and not to the employee or to his digestive system)

   See also walk².

   2. to defect

   You go and do not return:

    Years ago — before Fiona took a walk... (Deighton, 1988 — Fiona had defected to Russia)

   It is also used of a spouse leaving home permanently.

   3. to be stolen

   The implication that inanimate objects can remove themselves may avoid a direct accusation of theft or fraud:

    If half a million pounds took a walk... (Deighton, 1988)