We drank a toast to absent friends.

我们为缺席的朋友干一杯。

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After the party he telephoned his absent friends.

晚会后他打电话给没有赴约的朋友。

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Old established friends are notably absent, so it's a good opportunity to make new contacts.

老朋友们显然都已不在身边，所以这是结交新朋友的一个好机会。

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

The inquest heard that Mrs Gibson had been absent from home for 18 hours, while she stayed the night with friends.

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Interestingly enough, however, the willingness to lie was strongest when friends were physically present, as opposed to when they were absent.

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