Wiktionary
take a powder
vb. (context idiomatic US colloquial English) To leave in a hurry; run away; scram; depart without take one's leave or notifying anyone, often with a connotation of avoiding something unpleasant or shirking responsibility.
WordNet
take a powder
v. disappear without notifying anyone (idiom) [syn: skip town]
Wikipedia
Take a Powder
Take a Powder is a 1953 British comedy film directed by Lionel Tomlinson and starring Julien Vedey, Max Bacon and Isabel George. It was a B film, made at Brighton Studios. The plot is set against the backdrop of the developing Cold War.
Usage examples of "take a powder".
With a layout like that, a man could take a powder without leaving a single sign.