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

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

Pc Attwood said after the hearing: "There is a saying that the police are never off duty and in my case at this time, that was true."

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2025

Seeing her, he had tucked up one bottom end of his apron into the belt, signifying that he was off duty for the moment and had come from behind the bar to meet her.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith