Out of Dodge
Meaning
To leave a place quickly, especially one that is perceived as undesirable or dangerous.
Origin
Dodge City, Kansas, in the 19th century, was the quintessential wild frontier town: a bustling, lawless crossroads for cowboys, gamblers, and outlaws. It was a place of opportunity, but also of swift trouble—gunfights were common, and the local marshals were famously stern. If you found yourself in hot water, owing money, or simply overstaying your welcome, the smartest move was a rapid departure. To 'get out of Dodge' became the colloquial command for a quick escape from a perilous or undesirable situation, capturing the urgency of fleeing a place where danger lurked around every saloon door.
Examples
- As soon as the storm warning was issued, we knew it was time to get out of Dodge.
- The band packed up their gear and were out of Dodge before the club owner could ask them to play an encore.