off duty

[awf-doo-tee, -dyoo-, of-] / ˈɔfˈdu ti, -ˈdyu-, ˈɒf- /

ADVERB

not working

Synonyms

WEAK

at liberty on furlough on holiday on leave on one's own time on sabbatical on vacation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Liam said that nowadays they were most often mixed up when they were off duty.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Platner pleaded ignorance—claiming that he had gotten inked with insignia while drunk and off duty in Croatia, and didn’t understand the horrific context until much later.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

Hashimi charges into the breach with a head full of “improvements” she plans to make before Robby has even gone off duty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

But, in a twist of fate, he was off duty on July 10.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

In an hour he would be off duty, thank Christ.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols