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.

Prosecutors said the 40 -year-old did this while off duty and on sick days to earn cash on the side of his day job.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 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

Many law enforcement officers carry their handheld radios off duty and turn them on if there’s police activity nearby, Meyer said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

I whip off my uniform the second I get off duty.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz